CVE-2023-21851 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in Oracle Marketing, a product within Oracle E-Business Suite, with supported affected versions ranging from 12.2.3 to 12.2.12. This vulnerability, assigned CVE-2023-21851, allows an unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle Marketing. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to critical data or all accessible data within Oracle Marketing.

Understanding CVE-2023-21851

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-21851, including its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-21851?

CVE-2023-21851 is an easily exploitable vulnerability in Oracle Marketing, part of Oracle E-Business Suite. It permits an unauthenticated attacker with network access through HTTP to compromise Oracle Marketing, potentially gaining unauthorized access to critical data or all accessible data within the system.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21851

The impact of CVE-2023-21851 is significant, with successful exploitation resulting in unauthorized creation, deletion, or modification access to critical data or all Oracle Marketing accessible data.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21851

Now, let's explore the technical details of CVE-2023-21851, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Oracle Marketing allows an unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise the system. This can lead to unauthorized access to critical data or all accessible data within Oracle Marketing. The CVSS 3.1 Base Score is 7.5, indicating high integrity impacts.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is Oracle Marketing within the Oracle E-Business Suite, with supported versions 12.2.3 to 12.2.12 being vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker with network access through HTTP, enabling them to compromise Oracle Marketing and potentially gain unauthorized access to critical data or all accessible data.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2023-21851, it is imperative to implement immediate steps, adopt long-term security practices, and apply necessary patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor network traffic and access to detect any suspicious activities.
Apply security patches provided by Oracle promptly to address this vulnerability.
Restrict network access to reduce exposure to potential attackers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software systems to address vulnerabilities.
Conduct frequent security assessments and audits to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.
Educate employees on cybersecurity best practices to enhance overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Oracle has released patches to address CVE-2023-21851. It is crucial to apply these patches promptly to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability. Regularly updating systems and staying informed about security advisories from Oracle are essential steps in maintaining a secure environment.