CVE-2019-2579 in WebCenter Sites
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebCenter Sites component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Advanced UI). The supported version that is affected is 12.2.1.3.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle WebCenter Sites. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle WebCenter Sites accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 4.3 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2579 resides within Oracle WebCenter Sites, a component of Oracle Fusion Middleware that provides content management and web publishing capabilities. This specific flaw exists in the Advanced UI subcomponent and affects version 12.2.1.3.0 of the software. The vulnerability classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage this weakness with minimal technical expertise and resources, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that deploy this software without adequate security controls. The attack vector requires only network access via HTTP, meaning that remote exploitation is possible from any location with internet connectivity to the target system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows a low-privileged attacker to gain unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle WebCenter Sites accessible data. This represents a confidentiality impact as defined by the CVSS 3.0 scoring system with a base score of 4.3. The vulnerability's characteristics align with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues where an attacker can access resources without proper authorization. The attack requires minimal privileges and does not necessitate user interaction or a change in system state, making it particularly concerning for environments where administrative access is limited but still required for legitimate business operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability can result in significant data exposure risks for organizations using Oracle WebCenter Sites for content management and web publishing. The compromised data access could include sensitive content, user information, or business-critical documents that are stored within the WebCenter Sites repository. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability may expose system internals or configuration information that could be leveraged for further attacks. Organizations with extensive WebCenter Sites deployments face potential regulatory compliance issues and reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited successfully, particularly in industries with strict data protection requirements such as healthcare, financial services, or government sectors.
The security implications of CVE-2019-2579 align with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Initial Access and Credential Access phases, where attackers establish footholds through network-based exploitation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying Oracle's security patches, network segmentation to limit access to WebCenter Sites components, and implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter HTTP traffic. Access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to ensure that only authorized personnel can access the affected system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and conducting regular security assessments of enterprise applications, particularly those handling sensitive organizational data. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns and implementing robust logging mechanisms can help detect potential exploitation attempts and support incident response activities.