CVE-2009-0985 in Database 10g
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Core RDBMS component in Oracle Database 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.4, and 11.1.0.6 allows remote authenticated users with the IMP_FULL_DATABASE role to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0985 resides within Oracle Database's Core RDBMS component and affects versions 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.4, and 11.1.0.6. This issue represents a significant security weakness that enables remote authenticated attackers who possess the IMP_FULL_DATABASE role to compromise the fundamental security tenets of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though the impact is well-documented. The IMP_FULL_DATABASE role, which provides extensive import capabilities, creates a privileged attack surface where malicious actors can exploit the underlying flaw to manipulate database operations and potentially access sensitive information.
This vulnerability operates at the database core level, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect the foundational security architecture of Oracle Database deployments. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the database server, significantly expanding the potential threat surface. Attackers with the IMP_FULL_DATABASE role can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized data modifications, potentially leading to data corruption or unauthorized data exposure. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability suggests that it may involve complex interactions between database components or could be related to improper access controls within the import functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-0985 extends beyond simple data compromise, as it affects all three pillars of information security. Confidentiality breaches could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, integrity violations might allow for data manipulation or deletion, and availability issues could lead to database service disruption. Organizations using affected Oracle Database versions face significant risk of data loss or exposure, particularly in environments where the IMP_FULL_DATABASE role is granted to multiple users. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions indicates a widespread issue that required coordinated patching efforts across Oracle Database releases. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a critical weakness in the database's privilege management system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch application from Oracle, as the company would have released specific security updates addressing the flaw. Organizations should also implement strict role-based access control measures, limiting the assignment of IMP_FULL_DATABASE privileges to only essential personnel. Network segmentation and monitoring of database import operations can help detect anomalous activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the potential consequences of privileged user compromise. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of database roles and privileges, ensuring that the principle of least privilege is maintained across all database environments. This vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive database security monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized import operations and potential exploitation attempts.