CVE-2023-21981 in PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools
Summary
by MITRE • 04/18/2023
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Elastic Search). Supported versions that are affected are 8.58, 8.59 and 8.60. 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).
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21981 affects Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools, specifically within the Elastic Search component that is integral to the PeopleTools framework. This issue impacts versions 8.58, 8.59, and 8.60, representing a significant security concern for organizations utilizing these specific releases. The vulnerability resides in the Elastic Search functionality that PeopleSoft employs for indexing and searching data within its enterprise applications. The affected component operates as part of the broader PeopleTools suite that manages human capital management, financial management, and other enterprise resource planning functions. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face potential exposure through their PeopleSoft implementations, particularly those that have not implemented additional security controls or network segmentation.
The technical flaw manifests as an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows attackers with high privileges and network access via HTTP to compromise the Elastic Search component. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the HTTP protocol to exploit the authentication mechanisms within the Elastic Search implementation. The CVSS score of 4.9 indicates a moderate severity level, though the impact is significant due to the potential for unauthorized access to critical data. The vulnerability requires an attacker to possess high privileged access initially, suggesting that it may be exploited by insiders or attackers who have already gained some level of access to the system. The attack vector is classified as network-based, meaning that exploitation can occur from external network positions without requiring physical access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to all PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools accessible data. This encompasses sensitive information including employee records, financial data, and other confidential business information that organizations store within their PeopleSoft environments. The confidentiality impact is rated as high, reflecting the potential for complete data exposure across the entire PeopleSoft system. Organizations may experience significant business disruption if sensitive data is compromised, potentially leading to regulatory violations, financial losses, and reputational damage. The vulnerability affects the entire data ecosystem within PeopleSoft, making it particularly dangerous for enterprises that rely heavily on PeopleSoft for mission-critical operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Oracle security patches as soon as they become available, which would address the authentication bypass issue in the Elastic Search component. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be reviewed to limit access to the affected PeopleSoft components, particularly restricting HTTP access to only trusted network segments. Access controls should be strengthened through implementation of multi-factor authentication and principle of least privilege access models. Monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect any unauthorized access attempts or anomalous behavior in the Elastic Search component. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential attack vectors within their PeopleSoft environments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a potential entry point for attackers following the ATT&CK tactic of Initial Access through exploitation of network services. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs should be maintained to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.