CVE-2006-1876 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Database Server 9.2.0.7 and 10.1.0.4 has unknown impact and attack vectors in the Oracle Spatial component, aka Vuln# DB12. NOTE: details are unavailable from Oracle, but as of 20060421, they have not publicly disputed a claim by a reliable independent researcher that states that the problem is SQL injection in the (1) GEN_RID_RANGE_BY_AREA and (2) GEN_RID_RANGE functions in the MDSYS.SDO_PRIDX package.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1876 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Database Server versions 9.2.0.7 and 10.1.0.4, specifically affecting the Oracle Spatial component. This issue falls under the broader category of database security vulnerabilities that can potentially compromise the integrity and confidentiality of spatial data within enterprise environments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning due to its location within the MDSYS.SDO_PRIDX package, which serves as a critical component for spatial indexing operations in Oracle's spatial database functionality. The lack of detailed information from Oracle at the time of discovery created significant challenges for security professionals attempting to assess and remediate the risk. The vulnerability's classification as "unspecified" in the initial description indicates that Oracle had not yet fully characterized the scope and impact of the flaw, leaving organizations without clear guidance on potential attack scenarios or mitigation strategies.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as SQL injection flaws within two specific functions: GEN_RID_RANGE_BY_AREA and GEN_RID_RANGE located within the MDSYS.SDO_PRIDX package. These functions are designed to handle spatial data operations, particularly those involving range-based queries and spatial indexing. The SQL injection vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries executed by these functions. This flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL code that can be executed within the database context, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of spatial datasets, or even complete database compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database layer where spatial operations are performed, meaning that attacks could affect not just the data but also the underlying spatial indexing structures that are fundamental to Oracle Spatial functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a potential pathway for attackers to gain elevated privileges within the database environment. Organizations utilizing Oracle Spatial components for critical applications such as geographic information systems, asset management, or location-based services face significant risk when this vulnerability exists in their systems. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could potentially access sensitive spatial data including maps, location coordinates, infrastructure information, or any other spatially referenced data stored in the database. The implications are particularly severe for industries such as telecommunications, utilities, transportation, and government agencies that rely heavily on spatial databases for operational decision-making. The vulnerability's presence in both Oracle Database Server 9.2.0.7 and 10.1.0.4 versions indicates that organizations across multiple generations of Oracle Database releases were potentially exposed, requiring comprehensive patch management and security assessments across their database infrastructure.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability primarily involves applying Oracle's security patches and updates that address the SQL injection flaws in the affected functions. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Oracle Database installations, particularly those running versions 9.2.0.7 and 10.1.0.4, to prevent exploitation. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual database activity patterns, particularly around spatial data operations, as these could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a clear example of how spatial database functionality can introduce unique attack vectors that require specialized security considerations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability would map to techniques involving SQL injection and privilege escalation, with potential lateral movement opportunities through database access. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous spatial query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, given the specialized nature of the affected functions within Oracle Spatial components.