CVE-2023-21852 in Learning Management
Summary
by MITRE • 01/18/2023
Vulnerability in the Oracle Learning Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Setup). Supported versions that are affected are 12.2.3-12.2.12. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle Learning Management. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized creation, deletion or modification access to critical data or all Oracle Learning Management accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 7.5 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21852 resides within Oracle Learning Management, a component of the Oracle E-Business Suite ecosystem. This security flaw specifically affects versions 12.2.3 through 12.2.12, representing a significant exposure across a substantial portion of the Oracle EBS product lineage. The vulnerability manifests as a critical integrity impact issue that fundamentally compromises the data protection mechanisms within the learning management system. The affected component operates under the Setup module, which typically handles configuration and administrative functions critical to system operation and data management.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unauthenticated network access via HTTP protocols, eliminating the need for valid credentials or privileged access to initiate an attack. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the easily exploitable category according to Oracle's assessment, meaning that malicious actors can leverage this weakness with minimal technical sophistication. The attack vector specifically targets the HTTP communication channel, allowing attackers to perform unauthorized modifications to critical data within the Oracle Learning Management system. The vulnerability's classification under CVSS 3.1 with a base score of 7.5 indicates a high-severity threat that primarily impacts data integrity rather than confidentiality or availability.
From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2023-21852 enables attackers to execute unauthorized data modification operations including creation, deletion, and modification of critical system data. This capability represents a severe compromise of data integrity controls that govern the learning management environment. The vulnerability's impact extends to all data accessible through Oracle Learning Management, potentially affecting student records, course materials, assessment data, and administrative configurations. The absence of authentication requirements for exploitation means that any network-connected attacker can potentially compromise the system, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on this platform for educational content management and student data handling.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement network segmentation measures to restrict access to Oracle Learning Management systems, particularly when deployed in environments accessible over untrusted networks. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional protective layers against exploitation attempts. Security patches released by Oracle should be deployed as soon as possible, as these updates typically address the underlying authentication bypass mechanisms that enable this vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a specific instance where the lack of proper access controls enables unauthorized modification operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving unauthorized access and data manipulation, specifically targeting the credential bypass and data manipulation tactics that attackers employ to compromise system integrity.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate data compromise, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the authentication architecture of Oracle Learning Management systems. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their EBS environments to identify potential exploitation points and ensure that proper access controls are implemented. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous HTTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while audit logging should be reviewed to ensure complete tracking of all data modification activities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust network security controls for enterprise applications handling sensitive educational data. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the Oracle EBS suite that may present comparable risks to data integrity and system security.