CVE-2020-2591 in Web Applications Desktop Integrator
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle Web Applications Desktop Integrator product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Application Service). The supported version that is affected is 12.1.3. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTPS to compromise Oracle Web Applications Desktop Integrator. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in Oracle Web Applications Desktop Integrator, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Oracle Web Applications Desktop Integrator accessible data as well as unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle Web Applications Desktop Integrator accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 8.2 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2591 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Web Applications Desktop Integrator, specifically within the Application Service component of Oracle E-Business Suite version 12.1.3. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-287 which addresses authentication issues, making it particularly dangerous as it allows unauthenticated attackers to gain access to sensitive systems. The vulnerability's exploitability score of 8.2 on the CVSS 3.0 scale indicates a high-risk threat level, with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N demonstrating that network-based attacks can be executed with low complexity, no prior privileges, and requiring only user interaction to succeed. The affected product operates within enterprise environments where sensitive financial and operational data resides, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on Oracle E-Business Suite implementations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the Desktop Integrator component, which typically serves as an interface for connecting desktop applications with enterprise systems. Attackers can exploit this weakness through HTTPS connections without requiring valid credentials, potentially gaining unauthorized access to critical data repositories. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond the immediate component, as successful exploitation can compromise additional Oracle products within the same ecosystem, creating cascading security risks. The CVSS scoring reveals that while the attacker cannot directly execute code or cause system disruption, they can achieve significant data compromise through unauthorized access to confidential information and limited data modification capabilities. The requirement for human interaction suggests that social engineering or phishing techniques might be employed to initiate the attack vector, potentially involving users clicking on malicious links or opening compromised attachments.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-2591 poses substantial risks to enterprise security posture, particularly in financial and ERP environments where data integrity and confidentiality are paramount. Organizations utilizing Oracle E-Business Suite 12.1.3 may experience unauthorized access to sensitive financial records, customer data, and business-critical information that could be exploited for financial gain or competitive advantage. The vulnerability's potential to enable unauthorized updates, inserts, or deletions within the system creates risks for data integrity, potentially leading to financial discrepancies or operational disruptions. The compromise of Desktop Integrator components may also provide attackers with access to additional Oracle products within the suite, creating a broader attack surface that could extend to other enterprise applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts usage, as the attack leverages legitimate system access paths through insufficient authentication controls.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches and updates as soon as they become available, which would address the authentication bypass flaw directly. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of the vulnerable component, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual access patterns or unauthorized data access attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected Oracle products within their environment, as the vulnerability's impact extends beyond the immediate Desktop Integrator component. Regular security awareness training for users can help prevent social engineering attacks that may exploit the human interaction requirement, while implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms where possible can provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-287 emphasizes the need for robust authentication controls and proper session management within enterprise applications, making it essential for organizations to review and strengthen their overall authentication frameworks across all Oracle E-Business Suite components.