CVE-2024-20987 in BI Publisher
Summary
by MITRE • 01/17/2024
Vulnerability in the Oracle BI Publisher product of Oracle Analytics (component: Web Server). The supported version that is affected is 12.2.1.4.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle BI Publisher. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in Oracle BI Publisher, attacks may significantly impact additional products (scope change). Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle BI Publisher accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle BI Publisher accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 5.4 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20987 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle BI Publisher's web server component, specifically affecting version 12.2.1.4.0 within the Oracle Analytics suite. This flaw operates at the application layer and demonstrates characteristics that align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where data integrity and confidentiality are paramount. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal technical skills can leverage this weakness, while the requirement for network access via HTTP suggests that the attack surface extends beyond the local network perimeter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the web server component of Oracle BI Publisher, allowing low-privileged attackers to potentially manipulate or extract sensitive data. The CVSS 3.1 scoring system assigns this vulnerability a base score of 5.4, reflecting moderate severity with specific impacts to confidentiality and integrity. The attack vector AV:N indicates network-based exploitation, while AC:L suggests that the attack requires no specialized access or resources, making it particularly dangerous. The PR:L designation reveals that attackers must possess low privileges, but the UI:R component indicates that successful exploitation requires human interaction from users within the organization, potentially through social engineering or targeted phishing campaigns. The scope change factor S:C demonstrates that the vulnerability's impact extends beyond the immediate target system, potentially affecting additional Oracle products within the same environment.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are substantial for organizations utilizing Oracle BI Publisher, as successful exploitation could result in unauthorized modifications to data within the system or unauthorized read access to sensitive information. The potential for unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations directly impacts data integrity, while read access to subsets of accessible data compromises confidentiality. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive business intelligence or financial data becomes compromised, particularly in industries governed by standards such as SOX, HIPAA, or GDPR. The scope change aspect suggests that attackers might leverage this vulnerability as a stepping stone to compromise additional systems within the Oracle ecosystem, potentially leading to broader security breaches.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. Immediate remediation efforts should focus on applying Oracle's security patches and updates as soon as they become available, which aligns with best practices for vulnerability management and incident response protocols. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict unnecessary HTTP access to Oracle BI Publisher components, reducing the attack surface. Access control mechanisms should be strengthened through proper user privilege management, ensuring that only authorized personnel possess the necessary permissions to interact with the system. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security awareness training for personnel can reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that might exploit the UI:R requirement, while comprehensive monitoring and logging of system activities can aid in early detection of potential compromise attempts.