CVE-2008-5440 in Timesten In-memory Database
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the TimesTen Data Server component in Oracle Database 7.0.5.0.0 allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors. NOTE: the previous information was obtained from the January 2009 CPU. Oracle has not commented on reliable researcher claims that this is a format string vulnerability via the msg parameter in the evtdump CGI module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5440 resides within Oracle Database's TimesTen Data Server component, specifically version 7.0.5.0.0, presenting a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to compromise system integrity across multiple dimensions. This unspecified vulnerability affects the fundamental security posture of Oracle Database installations, creating potential pathways for unauthorized access and system manipulation that could result in data breaches, service disruption, and system compromise. The vulnerability's classification as a format string vulnerability through the msg parameter in the evtdump CGI module represents a particularly dangerous flaw that can be exploited without authentication, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code and potentially gain complete control over affected systems. The TimesTen Data Server component serves as a high-performance in-memory database engine that provides fast data access and processing capabilities, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to exploit database vulnerabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the evtdump CGI module, specifically in how the msg parameter is processed during format string operations. Format string vulnerabilities occur when application code uses user-supplied input directly in format string functions such as printf, sprintf, or similar functions without proper sanitization. This flaw allows attackers to craft malicious input that can manipulate the program's execution flow, potentially leading to memory corruption, information disclosure, or arbitrary code execution. The msg parameter in the evtdump CGI module represents a critical attack surface where unvalidated user input is directly processed through format string functions, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious format specifiers that can reveal stack contents, overwrite memory locations, or execute unintended code sequences. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this weakness from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for database systems that are exposed to external networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5440 extends beyond simple data confidentiality breaches to encompass complete system compromise and business disruption. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially access sensitive database information, modify or delete critical data, and disrupt database services that may be supporting enterprise applications, financial systems, or other mission-critical operations. The availability impact is significant as attackers can cause denial of service conditions by corrupting memory structures or triggering application crashes through the exploitation of format string vulnerabilities. The integrity implications are equally severe, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify database contents, alter application behavior, or establish persistent backdoors within the database environment. Organizations running affected Oracle Database versions face substantial risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and operational downtime that can result in significant financial and reputational damage. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on TimesTen Data Server for high-performance database operations, which are commonly found in financial services, telecommunications, and other industries requiring rapid data processing capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5440 should prioritize immediate patching and system hardening measures to prevent exploitation. Oracle's official security patches should be applied as soon as possible to address the underlying format string vulnerability in the TimesTen Data Server component, with organizations monitoring security advisories for any additional guidance or updated remediation procedures. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable database systems to untrusted networks, while disabling or removing the evtdump CGI module when not required for legitimate operations. Input validation and sanitization measures should be enhanced to prevent user-supplied data from being processed through format string functions without proper validation, implementing proper parameterized queries and input filtering mechanisms. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual network traffic patterns or suspicious database access patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify known exploit signatures for format string vulnerabilities and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to ensure business continuity in case of successful exploitation. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-134, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities, and represents a typical target for ATT&CK technique T1190, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in network infrastructure components. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected components and ensure that all database systems are properly maintained and updated according to established security protocols.