CVE-2009-0991 in Database 11g
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Listener component in Oracle Database 9.2.0.8, 9.2.0.8DV, 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.4, and 11.1.0.7 allows remote attackers to affect availability via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0991 represents a critical availability threat within Oracle Database's Listener component across multiple version ranges including 9.2.0.8, 9.2.0.8DV, 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.4, and 11.1.0.7. This unspecified flaw resides in the core network listening service that facilitates communication between database clients and the database server, making it a prime target for denial-of-service attacks that can compromise system availability and operational continuity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the Listener component's failure to properly handle certain network requests or connection states, creating potential entry points for malicious actors to disrupt database services. As a network service component, the Listener operates at the boundary between client applications and database systems, making it susceptible to various attack vectors that could cause service disruption, process termination, or resource exhaustion. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, which is typical for vulnerabilities that affect fundamental network service operations and can manifest through multiple attack pathways.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to database availability and business continuity. Attackers capable of exploiting this weakness could potentially cause database services to become unavailable, resulting in application downtime, data access interruptions, and potential financial losses. The affected versions span multiple Oracle Database releases, indicating this represents a widespread issue that would require coordinated patching efforts across various database installations. Organizations relying on Oracle Database services for critical operations would face substantial risk of service disruption if this vulnerability remains unaddressed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0991 should prioritize immediate patch application from Oracle's security advisories, as this represents a known vulnerability requiring urgent attention. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the Listener component to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual connection patterns or service disruptions. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service and CWE-119 for memory safety issues, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls that address both network-level and application-level protection. Organizations should also implement robust incident response procedures to handle potential exploitation attempts and maintain detailed logging of Listener activities for forensic analysis.