CVE-2009-0988 in Database 11g
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Password Policy component in Oracle Database 11.1.0.6 allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0988 resides within Oracle Database 11.1.0.6's Password Policy component, representing a critical security flaw that compromises data confidentiality. This unspecified vulnerability affects authenticated remote users who can potentially exploit the weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The Password Policy component serves as a crucial security mechanism within Oracle Database environments, controlling user authentication parameters and enforcing security policies that govern password strength, expiration, and access restrictions. When compromised, this component can undermine the entire authentication framework, creating potential entry points for malicious actors seeking to extract confidential data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the Password Policy subsystem, allowing authenticated users to manipulate or bypass established security controls. While the exact vector remains unspecified in the initial description, such vulnerabilities typically involve improper input handling, weak access controls, or flawed privilege management within database components. The unspecified nature suggests that the vulnerability may manifest through multiple attack paths or that the specific technical flaw was not fully disclosed at the time of reporting. This ambiguity often indicates a fundamental weakness in how the password policy enforcement mechanisms process user requests or validate authentication parameters. The vulnerability operates at the database level where user credentials and authentication policies intersect, making it particularly dangerous as it can enable attackers to manipulate password restrictions and potentially escalate privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Oracle Database 11.1.0.6 for critical data storage and management. The compromise of password policy enforcement can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, financial records, personal information, and intellectual property. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially weaken password security policies, bypass account lockout mechanisms, or access password history information that might reveal patterns in user authentication. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation does not require physical access to the database infrastructure, making it particularly concerning for distributed environments. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited successfully, especially since password policy controls are fundamental to maintaining data confidentiality and access control.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches and updates as soon as they become available, monitoring database access logs for unusual authentication patterns, and reviewing current password policy configurations to identify potential weaknesses. Organizations should also consider implementing additional layers of security such as network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and enhanced monitoring of database activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and may relate to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access. Database administrators should conduct thorough security assessments of their Oracle Database installations and ensure that all security patches are applied promptly to prevent exploitation. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should include verification of password policy configurations and enforcement mechanisms to maintain robust security posture against similar vulnerabilities.