CVE-2024-20956 Overview
CVE-2024-20956 is a network-exploitable vulnerability in the Installation component of Oracle Agile Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) for Process, part of the Oracle Supply Chain product family. The flaw affects all supported versions prior to 6.2.4.2 and can be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker over HTTP without user interaction. Successful exploitation allows attackers to update, insert, or delete a subset of accessible data, read a subset of accessible data, and cause a partial denial of service against the application.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can compromise Oracle Agile PLM for Process over HTTP, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of supply chain data.
Affected Products
- Oracle Agile Product Lifecycle Management for Process versions prior to 6.2.4.2
- Oracle Supply Chain Management product family (Installation component)
- Deployments exposing the PLM web interface to untrusted networks
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-01-16 - Oracle releases the Critical Patch Update addressing CVE-2024-20956
- 2024-02-17 - CVE-2024-20956 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-20956
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Installation component of Oracle Agile PLM for Process. Oracle has not published detailed technical information beyond the advisory. The CWE classification is recorded as NVD-CWE-noinfo, indicating no specific weakness category was assigned at publication.
The issue is exploitable over the network via HTTP without authentication or user interaction. An attacker reaching the application's HTTP endpoints can trigger conditions that lead to limited data modification, limited data disclosure, and partial denial of service. The scope is unchanged, meaning impact is constrained to the vulnerable application's security context.
Root Cause
Oracle's advisory does not disclose the underlying defect. Because the Installation component is implicated and the attack requires no credentials, the root cause likely involves missing authentication or authorization checks on an exposed installation or setup-related HTTP endpoint that should not be reachable post-deployment.
Attack Vector
An unauthenticated attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to a reachable Oracle Agile PLM for Process instance. The attacker does not need valid credentials, prior access, or user interaction. Exploitation yields partial read and write access to application data and can degrade service availability. With an EPSS probability of 0.439% (35th percentile), public exploitation activity has not been observed at scale, and no public proof-of-concept is currently available.
No verified exploit code is publicly available. See the Oracle Critical Patch Update January 2024 for vendor details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-20956
Indicators of Compromise
- Unauthenticated HTTP or HTTPS requests to Oracle Agile PLM for Process endpoints from unexpected source addresses
- Anomalous database write or delete operations originating from the PLM application service account
- Unexpected HTTP 4xx/5xx error spikes against installation or setup paths within the PLM application
- New or modified records in PLM tables without corresponding authenticated user sessions in application logs
Detection Strategies
- Compare running Oracle Agile PLM for Process build versions against 6.2.4.2 to identify unpatched instances
- Inspect web server and application logs for requests to installation-related URIs by unauthenticated clients
- Correlate HTTP access logs with authentication events to flag data-modifying requests lacking a valid session
- Baseline normal PLM HTTP traffic and alert on deviations in request volume, paths, or methods
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Oracle Agile PLM for Process web, application, and database audit logs to a centralized SIEM for retention and correlation
- Monitor outbound network connections from the PLM host to identify post-exploitation activity
- Track configuration changes and administrative actions on the PLM application server
- Alert on availability degradation, including process restarts, thread pool exhaustion, and HTTP 5xx error bursts
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-20956
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Oracle Critical Patch Update January 2024 to upgrade Oracle Agile PLM for Process to version 6.2.4.2 or later
- Restrict network access to the PLM application to trusted management networks and authenticated users only
- Review web server and database audit logs for signs of unauthenticated data modification since the January 2024 disclosure
- Validate the integrity of PLM data against trusted backups
Patch Information
Oracle addressed CVE-2024-20956 in the January 2024 Critical Patch Update. Administrators must upgrade to Oracle Agile Product Lifecycle Management for Process version 6.2.4.2 or later. Refer to the Oracle Critical Patch Update January 2024 advisory for patch download links and installation guidance.
Workarounds
- Place the PLM application behind a web application firewall and block external access to installation-related URIs
- Enforce network segmentation so only authorized internal users and systems can reach the PLM web interface
- Require VPN or zero-trust access controls in front of the application until patching is complete
- Disable or remove any installation endpoints that are not required for steady-state operation, where supported by Oracle
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
