CVE-2009-0981 in Database 11g
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Application Express component in Oracle Database 11.1.0.7 allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality, related to APEX. NOTE: the previous information was obtained from the April 2009 CPU. Oracle has not commented on reliable researcher claims that this issue allows remote authenticated users to obtain APEX password hashes from the WWV_FLOW_USERS table via a SELECT statement.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0981 resides within Oracle Database's Application Express component, specifically in version 11.1.0.7 where an unspecified weakness exists that enables remote authenticated attackers to compromise data confidentiality. This security flaw is particularly concerning as it operates within Oracle's web application development framework that facilitates rapid application creation and deployment. The Application Express component serves as a comprehensive web application development environment integrated into Oracle Database, making it a critical attack surface for malicious actors seeking to exploit database infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the APEX framework that allows authenticated users to execute unauthorized SELECT operations against the WWV_FLOW_USERS table. This table contains sensitive authentication information including password hashes that are typically protected from direct database access. The flaw essentially represents a privilege escalation vulnerability where legitimate authenticated users can bypass normal security boundaries to access restricted database metadata. According to security researchers, this issue enables attackers to extract password hash values that would normally be protected within the database's security architecture, creating a significant risk for credential exposure and potential account compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-0981 extends beyond simple data theft as it fundamentally undermines the security model of Oracle Application Express deployments. When attackers can extract password hashes from the WWV_FLOW_USERS table, they gain access to authentication credentials that could be used to impersonate legitimate users or subjected to offline password cracking attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on Oracle APEX for business applications, as it provides a pathway for attackers to escalate their privileges within the database environment. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the database server, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in cloud and distributed computing environments where database access is often exposed to external networks.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability including immediate patching of affected Oracle Database installations to the latest security releases. Database administrators should conduct comprehensive access control reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive tables within the APEX environment. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to Oracle database ports and services, particularly those exposed to untrusted networks. Monitoring and logging of database activities should be enhanced to detect unauthorized SELECT operations against system tables, with specific alerts configured for access patterns that match the vulnerability characteristics. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues and potentially maps to ATT&CK technique T1213 Data from Information Repositories, emphasizing the critical need for proper access controls and database security management practices.