CVE-2008-3982 in Database 11i
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Workspace Manager component in Oracle Database 9.2.0.8, 9.2.0.8DV, 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.3, and 11.1.0.6 allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality and integrity, related to SYS.LT and WMSYS.LT.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3982 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle Database's Workspace Manager component that affects multiple versions including 9.2.0.8, 9.2.0.8DV, 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.3, and 11.1.0.6. This issue specifically targets the SYS.LT and WMSYS.LT packages which are integral parts of Oracle's Workspace Manager functionality. The vulnerability operates at the database level and allows authenticated remote attackers to compromise both confidentiality and integrity of the affected systems. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though it clearly impacts core database security controls.
The technical flaw manifests through the Workspace Manager component which is designed to manage database schema changes and version control operations. When operating within the SYS.LT and WMSYS.LT namespaces, the vulnerability enables malicious authenticated users to manipulate database objects and potentially access sensitive information. This represents a privilege escalation issue where legitimate users with appropriate database access can exploit the flaw to gain unauthorized access to data or modify database structures. The impact extends beyond simple data access as the vulnerability affects both confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad, meaning attackers could both read sensitive data and modify database contents.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a serious risk for organizations relying on Oracle Database Workspace Manager functionality. The remote attack vector means that malicious actors do not require physical access to the database server, making the threat more accessible and potentially more damaging. The authenticated requirement suggests that the vulnerability could be exploited by insiders or compromised legitimate users, adding another layer of risk to organizations that depend on traditional access control mechanisms. The affected versions span several major Oracle Database releases, indicating this was a widespread issue that required immediate attention across multiple deployment environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches and updates as soon as they become available. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the number of users with legitimate access to Workspace Manager functionality. Monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect any unauthorized access attempts or anomalous database activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues within the database environment, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping database components updated and secure against known attack vectors.