CVE-2008-3983 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 • 01/23/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3983 represents a critical security weakness 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 flaw resides in the SYS.LT and WMSYS.LT packages which are integral parts of Oracle's Workspace Manager functionality, designed to manage database changes and version control. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though it is clearly related to how these specific database packages handle authenticated user requests. The vulnerability impacts both confidentiality and integrity, meaning that authenticated attackers could potentially access sensitive data or modify database contents in ways that compromise the security posture of the entire system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated user sessions, which means that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to the database system before attempting to leverage this weakness. The Workspace Manager component is typically used for managing database changes and maintaining version control, making the exposure of sensitive data or modification capabilities particularly concerning. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can manipulate the underlying database structures through the SYS.LT and WMSYS.LT packages, potentially gaining unauthorized access to confidential information or corrupting database integrity. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation and data manipulation attacks, where legitimate authenticated users can abuse their access to perform actions beyond their intended scope.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3983 extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model of the database system. Organizations using affected Oracle Database versions face significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized data manipulation, and potential system compromise that could affect business continuity and regulatory compliance. The vulnerability affects database integrity by allowing attackers to modify data through the Workspace Manager interfaces, which could lead to cascading effects throughout applications that depend on consistent database states. Additionally, the confidentiality impact means that sensitive information could be accessed by unauthorized parties, potentially exposing proprietary data, customer information, or other confidential assets. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on database version control and change management processes, as the Workspace Manager component is specifically designed to support these operational requirements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3983 should focus on immediate patching of affected Oracle Database versions, as Oracle released security updates to address this vulnerability in subsequent patches. Organizations should implement strict access controls and monitor database sessions for unusual activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that database users have only the minimum required permissions to perform their legitimate functions. Additionally, database administrators should review and audit the SYS.LT and WMSYS.LT package permissions, ensuring that these components are properly restricted and monitored for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access, while also relating to CWE-284 for improper access control and CWE-310 for cryptographic issues in database contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.