CVE-2020-14617 in Primavera Unifier
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Primavera Unifier product of Oracle Construction and Engineering (component: Platform, Mobile App). Supported versions that are affected are 16.1, 16.2, 17.7-17.12, 18.8 and 19.12; Mobile App: Prior to 20.6. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with network access via HTTPS to compromise Primavera Unifier. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Primavera Unifier accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 5.7 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2020
The CVE-2020-14617 vulnerability represents a significant security flaw within Oracle Construction and Engineering's Primavera Unifier platform, specifically affecting both the core platform and mobile application components. This vulnerability resides within the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the system, creating a pathway for low-privileged attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive project data. The affected versions span across multiple release lines including 16.1, 16.2, 17.7 through 17.12, 18.8, and 19.12 for the platform, with the mobile application being vulnerable prior to version 20.6. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that the attack vector requires minimal technical sophistication, making it particularly concerning for organizations relying on this construction project management platform.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and potentially flawed session management within the Primavera Unifier environment. The CVSS 3.1 score of 5.7 with a base vector of AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N reveals that the attack requires network access via HTTPS, can be executed with low privilege levels, and necessitates user interaction from someone other than the attacker. This user interaction requirement suggests that the vulnerability might be exploited through social engineering tactics such as phishing emails or malicious links that trick users into performing actions that inadvertently compromise system security. The confidentiality impact rating of high indicates that successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to critical project data including sensitive construction information, financial details, and proprietary project specifications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it could potentially enable attackers to gain complete access to all data accessible through the Primavera Unifier platform. This comprehensive access capability poses serious risks to construction companies and engineering firms that rely on the system for managing critical infrastructure projects, resource allocation, and project timelines. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version streams indicates a systemic issue within the platform's security architecture rather than an isolated incident, suggesting that organizations across various deployment ages may be exposed to similar risks. Organizations utilizing these affected versions face potential exposure to intellectual property theft, competitive disadvantage, and regulatory compliance violations that could result in significant financial and reputational damage.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to supported versions of Primavera Unifier that address this vulnerability, particularly focusing on the mobile application upgrade to version 20.6 or later. Network segmentation and enhanced monitoring of HTTPS traffic can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying links and attachments before interaction. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the broader IT infrastructure, as this type of authentication bypass flaw often indicates broader security architecture weaknesses that require comprehensive remediation strategies.