CVE-2007-5506 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Core RDBMS component in Oracle Database 9.0.1.5+, 9.2.0.8, 9.2.0.8DV, 10.1.0.5, and 10.2.0.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via a crafted type 6 Data packet, aka DB20.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5506 affects the Core RDBMS component within Oracle Database versions 9.0.1.5 and later, including specific patched releases 9.2.0.8, 9.2.0.8DV, 10.1.0.5, and 10.2.0.3. This issue represents a significant security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack by manipulating specific database communication packets. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of type 6 Data packets within the database communication protocol, creating a condition where legitimate database operations can be disrupted through carefully crafted malicious input.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper handling of type 6 Data packets in the Oracle Database's communication layer. When a maliciously crafted packet is received, the database engine processes this packet in a manner that consumes excessive CPU resources, leading to system performance degradation and eventual service unavailability. This type of attack falls under the category of resource exhaustion attacks where the attacker leverages the database's response to malformed input to consume computational resources at an unsustainable rate. The vulnerability demonstrates a weakness in input validation and packet processing logic within the Oracle Database's network protocol handler.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to database availability and system stability. Attackers can exploit this flaw to cause sustained CPU consumption that may render database services unusable for legitimate users, effectively creating a denial of service condition. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as the excessive CPU usage can affect overall system performance, potentially causing cascading failures in applications that depend on the affected database. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the database server.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which addresses "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption," and represents a classic example of a resource exhaustion attack pattern. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving denial of service and resource consumption, specifically targeting the database service layer. Organizations affected by this vulnerability face potential business disruption and may experience significant downtime during exploitation attempts. The attack vector through network communication means that systems exposed to the internet or untrusted networks are particularly vulnerable to this type of attack.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5506 should prioritize applying the official Oracle patches and updates released for the affected database versions. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of database servers to untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual CPU consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Database administrators should implement network filtering rules to restrict access to database ports and consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious packet patterns. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in database configurations and network infrastructure.