CVE-2024-20979: Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record was published on January 16, 2024, by Oracle and is related to a vulnerability in the Oracle BI Publisher product of Oracle Analytics. The vulnerability affects versions 6.4.0.0.0, 7.0.0.0.0, and 12.2.1.4.0 and can be exploited by a low-privileged attacker with network access via HTTP.

Understanding CVE-2024-20979

This section will provide an overview of what CVE-2024-20979 entails, including the impact and technical details of the vulnerability.

What is CVE-2024-20979?

CVE-2024-20979 is an easily exploitable vulnerability in Oracle BI Publisher that allows a low-privileged attacker to compromise the system. Successful attacks require human interaction, and the impact may extend to other products. Unauthorized data access and manipulation can occur as a result of this vulnerability.

The Impact of CVE-2024-20979

The vulnerability in Oracle BI Publisher can lead to unauthorized update, insert, or delete access to the data within the system. Additionally, unauthorized read access to specific data subsets is possible. The CVSS 3.1 Base Score for this vulnerability is 5.4, with confidentiality and integrity impacts.

Technical Details of CVE-2024-20979

In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2024-20979, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Oracle BI Publisher allows a low-privileged attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise the system. Successful attacks can result in unauthorized data access and manipulation, impacting the confidentiality and integrity of the data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Oracle BI Publisher versions 6.4.0.0.0, 7.0.0.0.0, and 12.2.1.4.0 are affected by CVE-2024-20979. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of exploitation by attackers with network access.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging network access via HTTP. Human interaction from a person other than the attacker is required for successful attacks. The vulnerability's impact can extend to other products connected to Oracle BI Publisher.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we will discuss steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2024-20979 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2024-20979, it is crucial for users to apply patches and updates provided by Oracle promptly. Additionally, restricting network access and implementing proper access controls can help reduce the vulnerability's exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security protocols, conducting regular security audits, and providing cybersecurity training to employees can help enhance the long-term security posture of the system.

Patching and Updates

Oracle has released patches to address the vulnerability in affected versions of Oracle BI Publisher. Users are advised to apply these patches as soon as possible to safeguard their systems from potential exploitation.