CVE-2007-2108 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Core RDBMS component in Oracle Database 9.0.1.5, 9.2.0.8, 10.1.0.5, and 10.2.0.2 on Windows allows remote attackers to have an unknown impact, aka DB01. NOTE: as of 20070424, Oracle has not disputed reliable claims that this issue occurs because the NTLM SSPI AcceptSecurityContext function grants privileges based on the username provided even though all users are authenticated as Guest, which allows remote attackers to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2108 represents a critical authentication flaw within Oracle Database's Core RDBMS component affecting multiple versions including 9.0.1.5, 9.2.0.8, 10.1.0.5, and 10.2.0.2 on Windows platforms. This issue falls under the category of authentication bypass vulnerabilities and is particularly concerning due to its remote exploitability. The vulnerability operates through the NTLM SSPI AcceptSecurityContext function which is responsible for handling security context acceptance in Windows authentication mechanisms. The flaw occurs when the system grants privileges based on the username provided even though all users are authenticated as Guest, creating a fundamental weakness in the authentication process that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to database resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how Oracle Database handles Windows authentication through the Security Support Provider Interface (SSPI) mechanism. When the AcceptSecurityContext function processes authentication requests, it incorrectly interprets user credentials and assigns privileges based on the username parameter rather than properly validating the authentication state. This misconfiguration allows attackers to manipulate the authentication flow by providing specific usernames that bypass the normal authentication checks, effectively creating a scenario where any user can gain elevated privileges regardless of their actual authentication status. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-287 which deals with improper handling of authentication tokens, and represents a significant deviation from proper authentication protocols that should ensure users are properly authenticated before privilege assignment occurs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected Oracle Database versions on Windows systems. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to escalate privileges without requiring valid credentials, potentially gaining access to sensitive database information, modifying critical data, or executing unauthorized operations. The Guest authentication state creates a particularly dangerous scenario where attackers can leverage this flaw to move laterally within database environments and potentially access other systems that rely on the same authentication infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers credential harvesting, making it a significant threat vector for both internal and external attackers.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches and updates released to address this specific issue. The recommended approach involves upgrading to patched versions of Oracle Database that properly handle the NTLM SSPI authentication flow and ensure that privilege assignment occurs only after successful authentication verification. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to database systems, particularly restricting remote access to database ports and services. Additionally, organizations should review their authentication configurations to ensure that proper authentication mechanisms are in place and that the database is not configured to accept unauthenticated connections. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns and privilege escalation attempts, as this vulnerability could be used as a stepping stone for more extensive attacks within the network infrastructure.