CVE-2008-1811 in Application Express
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Application Express 3.0.1 has unspecified impact and remote authenticated attack vectors related to flows_030000.wwv_execute_immediate, aka APEX01. NOTE: the previous information was obtained from the April 2008 CPU. Oracle has not commented on reliable researcher claims that APEX01 is for insufficient authorization checks for SQL commands in the run_ddl function in flows_030000.wwv_execute_immediate, allowing privilege escalation by certain non-DBA remote authenticated users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1811 affects Oracle Application Express version 3.0.1 and represents a critical authorization flaw within the flows_030000.wwv_execute_immediate package. This issue specifically targets the run_ddl function which handles dynamic SQL execution within the APEX environment. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks that allow malicious actors to bypass normal security controls and execute unauthorized database operations. The flaw exists in the APEX01 component of Oracle Application Express, which is a web-based application development platform that enables rapid development of database applications. The vulnerability's classification as remote authenticated indicates that attackers need valid credentials to exploit the weakness, but once authenticated, they can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges within the database environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper validation of user permissions within the run_ddl function of the wwv_execute_immediate package. When users execute database operations through the APEX interface, the system should verify that the authenticated user possesses adequate privileges to perform the requested actions. However, this authorization check is bypassed, allowing non-DBA users to execute SQL commands that should typically be restricted to database administrators. This flaw specifically affects the dynamic data definition language execution functionality, which enables users to create, alter, or drop database objects through the web interface. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate database structures and potentially access sensitive information. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks in database applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-1811 is substantial for organizations utilizing Oracle Application Express 3.0.1, as it provides a pathway for authenticated users to gain elevated privileges and potentially compromise entire database systems. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary SQL commands that may include data manipulation, schema modification, or even privilege escalation to DBA-level access. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries can exploit this weakness from external networks without requiring physical access to the database server. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows non-DBA users to perform operations that should be restricted to database administrators, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or denial of service conditions. The flaw essentially undermines the security model of Oracle Application Express by allowing unauthorized execution of database administrative functions through the web interface.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to protect their Oracle Application Express installations. The primary recommendation involves applying Oracle's official security patches and updates that address the authorization flaw in the wwv_execute_immediate package. Additionally, administrators should review and tighten access controls within their APEX applications, ensuring that users are granted only the minimum necessary privileges for their roles. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the APEX application server, limiting exposure to potential attackers. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of application-specific flaws to gain elevated system access. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging of database activities to detect suspicious SQL execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar authorization flaws in other database applications and web-based interfaces within the organization's infrastructure.