CVE-2007-0278 in Oracle
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in Oracle Database 8.1.7.4, 9.0.1.5, 9.2.0.7, and 10.1.0.5 have unknown impact and attack vectors related to (1) NLS Runtime and lmsgen (DB12), and (2) Oracle Text and ctxkbtc (DB14).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0278 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle Database versions spanning multiple release lines including 8.1.7.4, 9.0.1.5, 9.2.0.7, and 10.1.0.5. This issue encompasses multiple unspecified vulnerabilities that affect core database components, specifically relating to National Language Support (NLS) runtime functionality and Oracle Text processing mechanisms. The vulnerabilities are particularly concerning as they exist within fundamental database runtime environments that handle international character set processing and text search capabilities, making them potential entry points for attackers seeking to compromise database systems. These vulnerabilities fall under the broader category of software defects that can lead to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or system compromise when exploited by malicious actors.
The technical nature of these vulnerabilities stems from issues within the NLS Runtime component known as lmsgen and Oracle Text functionality through ctxkbtc. The NLS Runtime environment handles international character set processing and localization features within Oracle Database, while the ctxkbtc component manages Oracle Text search capabilities and knowledge base functionality. When these components contain unspecified flaws, they can potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, manipulate database contents, or gain elevated privileges within the database environment. The unspecified nature of the exact technical details makes these vulnerabilities particularly dangerous as security professionals cannot fully predict the precise attack vectors or exploitation methods that could be employed against these components.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-0278 extends beyond simple database corruption or unauthorized access, as these vulnerabilities could enable sophisticated attacks that leverage the database's international character processing capabilities. Attackers could potentially exploit these weaknesses to execute malicious code within the database context, manipulate search results, or access sensitive data through crafted inputs that trigger the flawed NLS or Oracle Text processing. The presence of these vulnerabilities across multiple Oracle Database versions indicates a systemic issue that affects a substantial portion of database deployments, potentially exposing organizations to widespread compromise. The attack vectors for these vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous as they could be exploited through normal database operations, making detection and prevention more challenging for security teams.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0278 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Oracle Database versions to address the unspecified vulnerabilities in NLS Runtime and Oracle Text components. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of database access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting these vulnerable components. Security configurations should be reviewed to limit unnecessary database privileges and implement proper access controls for database users interacting with international character processing features. The vulnerabilities align with CWE categories related to improper input validation and buffer overflows, making defensive coding practices and input sanitization essential. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and database firewalls can help reduce the attack surface and limit potential exploitation of these vulnerabilities within the broader enterprise environment.