CVE-2007-2118 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Upgrade/Downgrade component of Oracle Database 9.0.1.5 and 9.2.0.7 has unknown impact and attack vectors, aka DB13. NOTE: as of 20070424, Oracle has not disputed reliable claims that this is a buffer overflow involving the "mig utility."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2118 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Database's upgrade/downgrade functionality, specifically affecting versions 9.0.1.5 and 9.2.0.7. This issue falls under the broader category of database security vulnerabilities that can compromise the integrity and availability of enterprise database systems. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow condition that manifests within the migration utility component, which is responsible for facilitating database version transitions. The unspecified nature of the impact and attack vectors initially raised concerns among security professionals, as buffer overflow vulnerabilities typically provide attackers with opportunities to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The designation "DB13" indicates this vulnerability was part of Oracle's database security advisory numbering system, suggesting it was considered a significant threat to database operations and security posture.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow vulnerability occurs within the mig utility, which serves as a critical component in Oracle Database's upgrade and downgrade processes. This utility handles the complex task of migrating database schemas and data between different Oracle Database versions, making it a prime target for exploitation. When the mig utility processes certain inputs or parameters during version transition operations, it fails to properly validate buffer boundaries, allowing malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption. The buffer overflow in this case likely affects the utility's internal memory management, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate program execution flow through stack or heap corruption techniques. The vulnerability's exploitation could occur during legitimate database maintenance operations when administrators attempt to upgrade or downgrade database versions.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2118 extends beyond simple system crashes or denial of service conditions, as it represents a potential pathway for complete system compromise. Database administrators who regularly perform upgrade or downgrade operations using the mig utility are particularly at risk, as these operations often require elevated privileges and may be performed during critical maintenance windows. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to database systems, potentially leading to data theft, modification of critical database structures, or complete system control. The vulnerability's presence in Oracle Database 9.0.1.5 and 9.2.0.7 versions suggests that organizations running these legacy database systems face significant risk, especially given that these versions were widely deployed in enterprise environments. The attack vectors likely include both local and remote exploitation scenarios, depending on how the mig utility is invoked and whether administrative privileges are required for the upgrade/downgrade process.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies to protect their database infrastructure. The primary recommendation involves applying Oracle's security patches and updates as soon as they become available, which typically address the buffer overflow conditions through proper input validation and memory boundary checks. System administrators should also consider restricting access to the mig utility and database upgrade operations to only trusted personnel with proper authorization levels. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of database systems to potential attackers. Monitoring and logging of database upgrade activities becomes critical for detecting unauthorized access attempts or exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and execution of malicious code through software exploitation, specifically mapping to tactics related to execution and privilege escalation within enterprise database environments. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous upgrade/downgrade operations that might indicate exploitation attempts.