CVE-2006-0257 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Change Data Capture component of Oracle Database server 9.2.0.7, 10.1.0.5, and 10.2.0.1 has unspecified impact and attack vectors, as identified by Oracle Vuln# DB02. NOTE: details are unavailable from Oracle, but they have not publicly disputed a claim by a reliable independent researcher that states that the problem is SQL injection in the CDC_ALLOCATE_LOCK function of the DBMS_CDC_UTILITY package.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0257 affects Oracle Database server versions 9.2.0.7, 10.1.0.5, and 10.2.0.1 within the Change Data Capture component. This issue stems from an unspecified weakness in the DBMS_CDC_UTILITY package, specifically within the CDC_ALLOCATE_LOCK function. The vulnerability was catalogued under Oracle Vulnerability Number DB02 and represents a significant security concern for database environments utilizing Oracle's Change Data Capture functionality. While Oracle has not provided detailed technical information about the specific nature of the flaw, independent researchers have confirmed that this vulnerability manifests as a SQL injection weakness, which creates substantial risks for database security.
The technical flaw resides in the CDC_ALLOCATE_LOCK function of the DBMS_CDC_UTILITY package, which is part of Oracle's Change Data Capture implementation designed to track and capture database changes for replication and audit purposes. This SQL injection vulnerability allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted inputs to the CDC_ALLOCATE_LOCK function, potentially enabling unauthorized access to database resources, data manipulation, or information disclosure. The vulnerability's classification as a SQL injection aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The flaw's presence in the Change Data Capture component suggests that attackers could exploit it to compromise database change tracking mechanisms, potentially gaining access to sensitive operational data or disrupting database synchronization processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access breaches, as it directly affects database integrity and availability. Attackers who successfully exploit this SQL injection vulnerability could manipulate database change tracking processes, potentially causing data inconsistencies or unauthorized modifications to database records. The Change Data Capture functionality is often critical for business continuity, as it supports data replication, audit trails, and change management processes. The vulnerability's location within the Oracle Database server core components means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges or access to underlying database structures. This presents a significant risk to organizations relying on Oracle's Change Data Capture for mission-critical operations, as the attack vector could be leveraged for more extensive database compromise or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary recommendation involves applying Oracle's official security patches and updates that specifically address the identified SQL injection flaw in the CDC_ALLOCATE_LOCK function. System administrators should also consider implementing strict access controls and privilege management for the DBMS_CDC_UTILITY package, limiting execution permissions to only trusted database accounts. Network segmentation and database firewall implementations can help reduce the attack surface by restricting access to database servers from untrusted networks. Additionally, comprehensive monitoring of database activities and audit logs should be implemented to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider implementing input validation controls and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection vulnerabilities in custom database applications that interact with the affected Oracle components. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1210 (Exploitation of Remote Services) indicates that attackers may leverage this weakness through database network protocols and remote service exploitation techniques, emphasizing the need for robust network security controls and continuous monitoring of database network traffic for suspicious activity patterns.