CVE-2021-2477 in Applications Framework
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2021
Vulnerability in the Oracle Applications Framework product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Session Management). Supported versions that are affected are 12.1.3 and 12.2.3-12.2.10. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle Applications Framework. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of Oracle Applications Framework. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 5.3 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-2477 resides within Oracle E-Business Suite's Applications Framework component, specifically targeting session management functionality. This weakness affects Oracle E-Business Suite versions 12.1.3 and 12.2.3 through 12.2.10, representing a significant exposure across multiple release lines of the enterprise resource planning platform. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage it with minimal technical sophistication, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where security controls may be insufficient.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper authentication requirements for specific session management operations within the Oracle Applications Framework. Attackers can exploit this weakness through unauthenticated HTTP network access, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms that should protect session handling functions. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the framework's ability to manage user sessions, potentially allowing malicious actors to manipulate session states without proper authorization. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor pathway that enables unauthorized access to session management functions, undermining the fundamental security model of the application framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can result in partial denial of service conditions within the Oracle Applications Framework. This partial DOS capability means that while complete system shutdown may not occur, critical application functions could become unavailable to legitimate users, disrupting business operations and potentially affecting financial transactions, reporting capabilities, and other essential business processes. The CVSS 3.1 score of 5.3 reflects the moderate severity of the availability impact, though the cumulative effect on business operations can be substantial. The vulnerability's vector indicates network-based exploitation with low attack complexity and no requirement for prior privileges or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in accessible network environments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through Oracle's official security patches and updates. The mitigation strategy should include implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected components, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and conducting thorough network scans to identify any potential compromise. Security teams should also review existing access controls and authentication mechanisms to ensure they provide adequate protection against similar session management vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a specific instance of how weak session management can create persistent security weaknesses in enterprise applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under initial access techniques, specifically targeting application layer access methods that allow attackers to establish footholds within enterprise environments. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging controls around session management functions to detect and respond to exploitation attempts more effectively.