CVE-2006-5342 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Spatial component in Oracle Database 9.0.1.5, 9.2.0.6, and 10.1.0.3 has unknown impact and remote authenticated attack vectors related to mdsys.sdo_tune, aka Vuln# DB18. NOTE: as of 20061023, Oracle has not disputed reports from reliable third parties that DB18 might be related to SQL injection in the EXTENT_OF function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5342 resides within Oracle Spatial component of Oracle Database versions 9.0.1.5, 9.2.0.6, and 10.1.0.3, representing a critical security flaw that affects the database's spatial data management capabilities. This issue manifests through the mdsys.sdo_tune package, which serves as a tuning utility for Oracle Spatial functionality, and operates under the broader classification of database security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by authenticated attackers. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact nature of the flaw was initially unclear, though subsequent analysis by security researchers established connections to SQL injection mechanisms within the EXTENT_OF function, demonstrating the complexity and potential severity of spatial database vulnerabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated attack vectors that leverage the mdsys.sdo_tune package, which is designed for performance tuning of spatial data operations. When an authenticated user interacts with the EXTENT_OF function within the Oracle Spatial environment, the vulnerability allows for manipulation of the underlying SQL execution paths, potentially enabling attackers to inject malicious SQL code into the database processing pipeline. This represents a significant deviation from normal database operations, as the standard function execution becomes compromised, allowing for unauthorized data access, modification, or destruction. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it can potentially provide attackers with elevated privileges within the database environment, particularly when combined with other exploitation techniques.
The operational implications of CVE-2006-5342 are severe, particularly for organizations relying heavily on spatial data management systems where Oracle Database serves as the primary data repository. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to sensitive spatial data, potentially compromising geographic information systems, location-based services, and any applications that depend on Oracle Spatial functionality. The remote authenticated nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur from outside the local network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed database systems. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-89, SQL Injection, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques targeting database systems through command injection, specifically covering the database access and privilege escalation phases of the attack lifecycle.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest Oracle Database versions, restricting access to the mdsys.sdo_tune package, and implementing proper input validation for all spatial data operations. The vulnerability's classification as a remote authenticated attack vector necessitates strict access controls and network segmentation to limit exposure. Database administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary spatial functions and implementing comprehensive monitoring of database sessions that interact with spatial data operations. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that spatial functionality remains intact while eliminating the security vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential SQL injection vulnerabilities within their Oracle Database implementations, as this represents a broader class of issues that require systematic security hardening approaches.