CVE-2008-2603 in Enterprise Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Resource Manager component in Oracle Database 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.4, and 11.1.0.6, and Database Control in Enterprise Manager, has unknown impact and remote authenticated attack vectors. NOTE: the previous information was obtained from the Oracle July 2008 CPU. Oracle has not commented on reliable researcher claims that this is a cross-site scripting (XSS) issue that allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the REFRESHCHOICE parameter in multiple web pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2603 resides within Oracle Database's Resource Manager component and Enterprise Manager Database Control, affecting versions 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.4, and 11.1.0.6. This unspecified weakness represents a significant security concern as it operates within Oracle's core database management infrastructure, potentially providing attackers with elevated privileges and access to sensitive database resources. The vulnerability's classification as remote authenticated indicates that attackers must first establish valid credentials to exploit the flaw, but once accessed, the attack vector could enable substantial damage to database operations and data integrity.
Technical analysis reveals that the vulnerability manifests through cross-site scripting (XSS) exploitation patterns, specifically targeting the REFRESHCHOICE parameter across multiple web interfaces within Oracle's database control systems. This parameter handling flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into web pages served by the database management interface. The XSS mechanism operates by manipulating input validation routines that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web responses, creating a persistent vector for malicious code execution. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability directly maps to Cross-Site Scripting flaws in input validation processes, where insufficient sanitization permits malicious payloads to be executed in the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2603 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive database administration functions through the compromised web interfaces. An authenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to manipulate database control parameters, potentially gaining unauthorized access to database configurations, user credentials, or even executing administrative commands through the compromised interface. The remote attack capability means that exploitation can occur from any location with network access to the database management system, while the authenticated requirement suggests that attackers would need valid user credentials or successfully compromise authentication mechanisms first. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Scripting and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, as it exploits legitimate user sessions to execute malicious code within the database environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch application through Oracle's official security updates, as the July 2008 CPU (Critical Patch Update) would contain the necessary fixes for this specific XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation across all web interfaces within their Oracle Database environments, particularly focusing on parameter handling within the Resource Manager component. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit administrative access to database control interfaces, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous parameter usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to prevent malicious script execution even if the underlying vulnerability persists. Regular security assessments of database management interfaces should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses that could provide similar attack vectors for future exploitation attempts.