CVE-2007-5508 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the CTXSYS Intermedia application for the Oracle Text component (CTX_DOC) in Oracle Database 10.1.0.5 and 10.2.0.3 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) THEMES, (2) GIST, (3) TOKENS, (4) FILTER, (5) HIGHLIGHT, and (6) MARKUP procedures, aka DB03. NOTE: remote unauthenticated attack vectors exist when CTXSYS is used with oracle Application Server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-5508 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Oracle Database's CTXSYS Intermedia application, specifically affecting the CTX_DOC component. This vulnerability exists in Oracle Database versions 10.1.0.5 and 10.2.0.3, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these database versions during that period. The flaw manifests through multiple procedures within the CTXSYS schema, including THEMES, GIST, TOKENS, FILTER, HIGHLIGHT, and MARKUP, which collectively form part of Oracle's Text component functionality. These procedures are designed to process and manipulate text data within the database, but they fail to properly sanitize user input, creating opportunities for malicious SQL command execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The flaw occurs because the CTXSYS procedures do not adequately validate or escape input parameters before incorporating them into SQL queries. When authenticated users exploit this vulnerability through the affected procedures, they can inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the database user account. This creates a significant risk of unauthorized data access, data manipulation, or even complete database compromise. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it can be exploited remotely, meaning attackers do not need physical access to the database server to carry out attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to database security and integrity. The fact that it affects multiple procedures within the CTX_DOC component means that attackers have several potential attack vectors to target, increasing their chances of successful exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as a remote authenticated attack vector means that legitimate database users with appropriate privileges could potentially be compromised, or attackers could gain access through stolen credentials. Additionally, the note regarding unauthenticated attack vectors when CTXSYS is used with Oracle Application Server further expands the threat surface, as attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability without needing valid database credentials, making the impact even more severe.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5508 extends beyond immediate data compromise to include potential system-wide damage and regulatory compliance issues. Organizations using affected Oracle Database versions face significant risks including unauthorized data access, data corruption, privilege escalation, and potential system takeover. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information, modify critical data, or establish persistent access to the database environment. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1078 for valid accounts and T1190 for exploitation of remote services. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches, restricting database user privileges, implementing network segmentation, and monitoring database access logs for suspicious activities. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in database security implementations.