CVE-2006-5339 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Spatial component in Oracle Database 8.1.7.4, 9.0.1.5, 9.2.0.7, and 10.1.0.4 has unknown impact and remote authenticated attack vectors related to mdsys.sdo_geom, aka Vuln# DB11. NOTE: as of 20061023, Oracle has not disputed reports from reliable third parties that DB11 is related to "length checking" in the RELATE function before MD2.RELATE is called.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5339 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Database's Spatial component, specifically affecting versions 8.1.7.4, 9.0.1.5, 9.2.0.7, and 10.1.0.4. This issue resides within the mdsys.sdo_geom package and has been categorized under the broader vulnerability classification DB11 by Oracle. The vulnerability's nature remains unspecified in the initial description, indicating a complex security weakness that requires detailed technical analysis. The flaw operates through remote authenticated attack vectors, meaning that an attacker with valid database credentials could potentially exploit this vulnerability from a remote location. This characteristic significantly broadens the attack surface and increases the potential impact of the vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability appears to be rooted in inadequate length checking mechanisms within the RELATE function of Oracle's Spatial database component. According to reports from reliable third parties, the issue manifests before MD2.RELATE is called, suggesting that the vulnerability occurs during the initial validation phase of geometric relationship operations. This type of flaw typically falls under CWE-129, which describes "Improper Validation of Array Index" or similar validation weaknesses that can lead to buffer overflows or memory corruption. The absence of proper bounds checking in the length validation process creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate input parameters and potentially execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple database integrity concerns, as it could potentially allow authenticated attackers to compromise the entire database system. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they could gain unauthorized access to sensitive spatial data, manipulate geometric relationships, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. The remote authenticated nature of the attack vector means that threat actors do not require physical access to the database server, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments. This weakness could enable attackers to perform data exfiltration, modify spatial datasets, or disrupt database operations, potentially affecting applications that rely heavily on geographic information systems and spatial data management.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability involves applying Oracle's official security patches and updates that address the specific length checking implementation issues within the RELATE function. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Oracle Database versions, particularly in environments where spatial data operations are actively used. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential attack surface by restricting unauthorized database access. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual spatial data operations or authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1499 which covers endpoint disruption, making it essential for security teams to monitor for both unauthorized access patterns and potential denial of service conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior in spatial function calls, as these systems may provide early warning of exploitation attempts.