CVE-2008-3996 in Database 11i
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Change Data Capture component in Oracle Database 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.4, and 11.1.0.6 allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality and integrity, related to SYS.DBMS_CDC_IPUBLISH.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3996 resides within Oracle Database's Change Data Capture component, specifically affecting versions 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.4, and 11.1.0.6. This represents a significant security weakness that falls under the category of unspecified vulnerability within a critical database subsystem responsible for tracking and propagating data changes. The affected component SYS.DBMS_CDC_IPUBLISH operates as a publish interface for change data capture functionality, making it a potential attack vector for malicious actors seeking to compromise database integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified suggests that the exact technical mechanism enabling the compromise remains undisclosed in the public CVE record, though the impact on confidentiality and integrity is clearly defined.
The technical flaw manifests through the SYS.DBMS_CDC_IPUBLISH interface which provides functionality for publishing change data capture information. This interface appears to lack proper access controls or input validation mechanisms that would prevent unauthorized manipulation or unauthorized access to change data capture operations. Attackers with authenticated access to the database can exploit this weakness to potentially modify or extract sensitive data that should remain protected within the change data capture framework. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data access as it affects both confidentiality through potential data leakage and integrity through possible data modification or corruption within the change capture mechanisms.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to organizations relying on Oracle Database for mission-critical data management and change tracking. The remote authenticated nature of the attack means that malicious actors who have already gained legitimate database access can leverage this weakness to expand their influence within the system. This particular vulnerability is especially concerning because it affects core database functionality that many applications depend upon for maintaining data consistency and audit trails. Organizations using these specific Oracle Database versions may experience unauthorized data exposure or manipulation that could compromise business continuity, regulatory compliance, and overall system integrity.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the relevant Oracle security patches and updates that address this vulnerability in the affected database versions. Access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to ensure that only authorized personnel can access the SYS.DBMS_CDC_IPUBLISH interface, with proper auditing implemented to monitor usage patterns. Database administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and additional monitoring controls to detect anomalous behavior related to change data capture operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and may relate to ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers typically need legitimate credentials before exploiting such weaknesses. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues within the database infrastructure and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.