CVE-2020-2797 in PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Process Scheduler). Supported versions that are affected are 8.56, 8.57 and 8.58. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 6.1 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2797 resides within Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools, specifically in the Process Scheduler component affecting versions 8.56, 8.57, and 8.58. This represents a significant security weakness that exposes organizations to potential unauthorized access and data manipulation risks. The vulnerability operates through HTTP network access channels, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication credentials from the attacker's perspective. The CVSS 3.0 score of 6.1 indicates a medium severity risk level, though the potential impact on system integrity and confidentiality cannot be understated.
The technical flaw manifests as an easily exploitable vulnerability that enables unauthenticated attackers to compromise the PeopleTools environment through network-based HTTP connections. This vulnerability specifically targets the Process Scheduler functionality within the PeopleSoft suite, which serves as a critical component for automating business processes and managing system workflows. The attack vector requires human interaction from users other than the attacker, suggesting that social engineering or targeted phishing campaigns may be necessary to initially gain access to the system before exploiting this vulnerability. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the CWE-284 category, representing improper access control issues that allow unauthorized users to perform actions they should not be permitted to execute.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond the immediate PeopleTools environment and can significantly affect additional Oracle products within the enterprise ecosystem. Successful exploitation grants attackers unauthorized capabilities to update, insert, or delete data within accessible PeopleSoft components, while also providing unauthorized read access to sensitive information. This dual impact on both confidentiality and integrity creates a substantial risk for organizations relying on PeopleSoft for critical business operations, particularly in financial, human resources, and enterprise resource planning systems. The vulnerability's potential to affect multiple products within the Oracle ecosystem amplifies the overall security risk and may require comprehensive remediation across various system components.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to Process Scheduler components, deployment of web application firewalls to monitor and filter HTTP traffic, and comprehensive user access reviews to ensure proper authorization controls. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application indicates that organizations should strengthen their perimeter defenses and implement robust monitoring for unusual HTTP traffic patterns. Additionally, patch management protocols should be prioritized to ensure all affected versions receive the necessary security updates from Oracle. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors and verify the effectiveness of implemented controls. The vulnerability's medium severity rating should not diminish the importance of prompt remediation, as the potential for data compromise and system integrity violations could result in significant financial and operational consequences for affected organizations.