CVE-2007-0272 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in MDSYS.MD in Oracle Database 8.1.7.4, 9.0.1.5, 9.2.0.7, and 10.1.0.4 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (crash) or execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors involving certain public procedures, aka DB05.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0272 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the MDSYS.MD component of Oracle Database versions 8.1.7.4, 9.0.1.5, 9.2.0.7, and 10.1.0.4. This issue resides within the spatial data management functionality of Oracle's database system, specifically affecting the MDSYS schema which handles geometric and spatial data operations. The vulnerability impacts the core database engine's ability to process spatial data through public procedures, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation that can compromise system integrity and availability.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs within the MDSYS.MD library where insufficient input validation and memory management controls exist in the handling of spatial data parameters. When authenticated users submit specially crafted spatial data through public procedures, the system fails to properly bounds-check input buffers, leading to memory corruption that can result in arbitrary code execution or system crashes. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level of database operations, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through legitimate database connections that have proper authentication credentials. The flaw manifests when the database processes geometric objects and spatial queries, particularly in scenarios involving complex spatial operations or malformed input data structures.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-0272 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass potential complete system compromise. Attackers with valid database credentials can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database service account, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects database availability through crash conditions that can disrupt business operations and data access, while the code execution capability enables persistent backdoor establishment and data exfiltration. Organizations running affected Oracle Database versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and system downtime that can result in substantial financial and operational losses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0272 require immediate implementation of Oracle's security patches and updates, as the vulnerability affects multiple database versions spanning several years of releases. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit database access to authorized users only, disable unnecessary spatial functionality when not required, and employ robust monitoring to detect suspicious database activity patterns. Database administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their spatial data implementations and consider implementing additional access controls such as role-based permissions and privilege reduction. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures including network intrusion detection systems and regular security audits to prevent exploitation.