CVE-2009-1971 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Data Pump component in Oracle Database 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.3, and 11.1.0.7 allows remote authenticated users to affect integrity via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1971 resides within Oracle Database's Data Pump component, a critical administrative tool designed for efficient data movement and database migration operations. This component operates as part of Oracle's database management system and provides functionality for exporting and importing database objects, making it an essential element for database administrators managing large-scale data environments. The affected versions include Oracle Database 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.3, and 11.1.0.7, representing a significant portion of Oracle's database ecosystem during that period. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though the impact on database integrity is clearly established.
The technical flaw manifests in the Data Pump component's handling of authenticated user requests, where remote attackers with valid credentials can exploit unknown vectors to compromise data integrity. This represents a serious security weakness because Data Pump operations typically involve sensitive database objects, schemas, and metadata that form the core of enterprise data infrastructure. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate or corrupt data during export and import operations, potentially leading to complete data loss or unauthorized modification of critical database structures. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors suggests that the flaw may involve improper input validation, insufficient access controls, or flawed data processing logic within the Data Pump framework that could be leveraged through various attack surfaces.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to database environments that rely on Data Pump functionality for routine operations such as database upgrades, migrations, backups, and data synchronization. Remote authenticated users who gain access to legitimate database accounts can exploit this weakness to compromise the integrity of database operations, potentially affecting business-critical applications that depend on data consistency. The impact extends beyond simple data corruption, as attackers could manipulate database schemas, modify table structures, or alter data content during transfer operations, leading to system instability, data breaches, or complete operational disruption. Organizations using these vulnerable database versions face potential regulatory compliance violations and substantial financial losses due to data integrity compromises.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1971 should focus on immediate patch deployment through Oracle's official security updates, as the vulnerability affects multiple database versions that require targeted remediation. Organizations should implement strict access controls and monitoring of Data Pump operations to detect anomalous activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced for database accounts with Data Pump access, ensuring that only authorized personnel can perform these operations. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and security audits of database environments should be conducted to identify potential attack vectors and ensure that all security patches are properly applied. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and may relate to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and data manipulation within database environments, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures across all database administration functions.