CVE-2008-6065 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Oracle Database Server 10.1, 10.2, and 11g grants directory WRITE permissions for arbitrary pathnames that are aliased in a CREATE OR REPLACE DIRECTORY statement, which allows remote authenticated users with CREATE ANY DIRECTORY privileges to gain SYSDBA privileges by aliasing the pathname of the password directory, and then overwriting the password file through UTL_FILE operations, a related issue to CVE-2006-7141.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-6065 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Oracle Database Server versions 10.1, 10.2, and 11g. This weakness stems from improper handling of directory permissions during the CREATE OR REPLACE DIRECTORY statement execution, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges to SYSDBA level. The vulnerability specifically targets the database's file system interaction mechanisms and demonstrates a significant design flaw in how Oracle manages directory aliases and their associated permissions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves an authenticated user with CREATE ANY DIRECTORY privileges who can manipulate directory aliases to point to sensitive system directories. When a directory alias is created using CREATE OR REPLACE DIRECTORY, the system does not properly validate or restrict the target pathnames, allowing attackers to map arbitrary paths including critical system directories. This flaw enables attackers to create aliases that point to the password file directory, which typically contains the database password file used for authentication purposes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote authenticated attackers to gain SYSDBA privileges, which represents the highest level of database access. SYSDBA privileges provide complete control over the database including the ability to modify system parameters, access all data regardless of security restrictions, perform administrative operations, and potentially escalate to operating system level access. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only CREATE ANY DIRECTORY privileges, which are often granted to database administrators and application users during normal database operations.
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-276 as "Incorrect Default Permissions" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" in the privilege escalation category. This weakness is related to CVE-2006-7141, indicating a pattern of similar directory permission flaws in Oracle database implementations. The exploitation chain involves creating a directory alias pointing to the password file location, followed by using UTL_FILE operations to overwrite the password file, effectively resetting database authentication credentials and gaining unauthorized administrative access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Oracle Database versions, implementing strict privilege controls to limit CREATE ANY DIRECTORY permissions, and conducting comprehensive audit of directory alias configurations. Database administrators should also implement monitoring for suspicious directory creation activities and regularly review directory permissions. The recommended approach includes applying Oracle's security patches, implementing the principle of least privilege, and establishing robust database access controls to prevent unauthorized users from obtaining the necessary privileges to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect and alert on potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific privilege escalation pathway.