CVE-2022-21521 in PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools
Summary
by MITRE • 07/20/2022
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: XML Publisher). Supported versions that are affected are 8.58 and 8.59. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 4.9 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21521 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools, specifically affecting the XML Publisher component. This vulnerability exists in versions 8.58 and 8.59 of the software, making it a targeted threat for organizations utilizing these particular releases. The flaw operates as an easily exploitable weakness that requires minimal effort from attackers to leverage, particularly when they possess high-privileged network access through HTTP protocols. The security implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with the potential to gain complete access to all accessible data within the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools environment, making it a critical concern for enterprise security teams.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the XML Publisher component, which allows unauthorized individuals with elevated privileges to bypass normal security restrictions. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to compromise the confidentiality of sensitive data stored within the PeopleSoft system. The CVSS 3.1 scoring system rates this vulnerability with a base score of 4.9, indicating a moderate to high severity level, with the confidentiality impact rated as high. The attack vector requires network access via HTTP protocol, suggesting that organizations with exposed web services or public-facing interfaces are particularly at risk. The vulnerability's classification as requiring high privilege access indicates that it may be exploited by individuals who already possess some level of legitimate access to the system, potentially through compromised accounts or insider threats.
The operational impact of successful exploitation of CVE-2022-21521 can be devastating for organizations relying on PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools for their business operations. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can access critical business data, financial records, employee information, and other sensitive corporate assets that are typically protected by the system's security controls. The complete access capability means that threat actors could potentially modify, delete, or exfiltrate large volumes of data, leading to significant financial losses, regulatory compliance violations, and damage to organizational reputation. The confidentiality impact rating of high indicates that the vulnerability primarily affects the protection of sensitive information rather than system availability or integrity, though the potential for data manipulation remains a serious concern.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including applying the relevant Oracle security patches as soon as they become available. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the exposure of PeopleSoft components to untrusted networks. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or unauthorized data access attempts within PeopleSoft environments. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other systems that may be running affected versions of PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools and ensure proper access controls are implemented across all components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a potential entry point for attackers following the ATT&CK tactics of privilege escalation and credential access. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that mitigations are effective and to identify any additional vulnerabilities that may exist within the PeopleSoft infrastructure.