CVE-2008-2602 in Data Pump component
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Data Pump component in Oracle Database 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.4, and 11.1.0.6 has unknown impact and remote authenticated attack vectors related to the IMP_FULL_DATABASE role.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2602 represents a critical security weakness within Oracle Database's Data Pump component, specifically affecting versions 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.4, and 11.1.0.6. This issue falls under the broader category of database security flaws that can potentially compromise enterprise data environments. The Data Pump functionality serves as a powerful tool for importing and exporting database objects, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to manipulate or extract sensitive information from database systems. The vulnerability's classification as having "unspecified" impact and "unknown" consequences underscores the severity and unpredictability of potential exploitation, as it could enable attackers to perform unauthorized operations that might go undetected for extended periods.
The technical flaw manifests within the IMP_FULL_DATABASE role, which is designed to provide comprehensive import capabilities for database administrators. This role typically grants extensive privileges that allow users to import database objects with full administrative rights. However, the vulnerability appears to stem from insufficient validation or authorization checks within the Data Pump component when processing import operations. Attackers with authenticated access to the database system can potentially leverage this weakness to escalate privileges or execute unauthorized import operations that should normally be restricted. The attack vector being authenticated indicates that the vulnerability requires legitimate user credentials, but once accessed, it can provide attackers with expanded capabilities beyond their intended permissions. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access control issues, particularly in database environments where role-based access control mechanisms fail to properly enforce security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to manipulate database contents, potentially leading to data corruption, unauthorized access to sensitive information, or complete system compromise. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they may be able to import malicious database objects, modify existing data structures, or gain access to data that should remain protected. The remote authenticated nature of the attack vector suggests that exploitation could occur from external network locations, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that maintain database systems accessible over networks. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of database systems, which are fundamental pillars of information security. Organizations may face significant regulatory and compliance implications if such vulnerabilities are exploited, as they could lead to data breaches that violate various data protection regulations and industry standards.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2602 should focus on immediate patch management and access control reinforcement. Oracle released specific patches for this vulnerability in their security updates, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches to affected systems. Additionally, implementing strict monitoring of Data Pump operations and role assignments can help detect anomalous activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting the number of users with IMP_FULL_DATABASE role assignments and regularly auditing these permissions. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help restrict access to database systems, reducing the attack surface for remote exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect suspicious import operations and alert security teams to potential compromise. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the critical need for continuous security assessment of database environments, as it represents a classic example of how seemingly legitimate administrative features can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting database access control mechanisms and administrative privileges that enable attackers to gain expanded system access.