CVE-2009-1991 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Oracle Text component in Oracle Database 9.2.0.8, 9.2.0.8DV, 10.1.0.5, and 10.2.0.4 allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality and integrity, related to CTXSYS.DRVXTABC. NOTE: the previous information was obtained from the October 2009 CPU. Oracle has not commented on claims from an established researcher that this is for multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities via the (1) idx_owner or (2) idx_name parameters to the create_tables procedure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1991 resides within Oracle Database's Text component, specifically affecting versions 9.2.0.8, 9.2.0.8DV, 10.1.0.5, and 10.2.0.4. This unspecified weakness manifests through the CTXSYS.DRVXTABC package, representing a critical security gap that enables remote authenticated attackers to compromise both data confidentiality and integrity. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that malicious actors can exploit this flaw without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where database access is commonly granted to multiple users.
Technical analysis reveals that the vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the create_tables procedure of the CTXSYS.DRVXTABC package. The reported SQL injection vulnerabilities occur specifically when processing the idx_owner and idx_name parameters, which are not adequately sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a code injection technique where untrusted data is embedded into SQL commands, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in database applications. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that authenticated users can leverage this vulnerability, meaning that privilege escalation or lateral movement attacks can occur through legitimate database access channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or unauthorized access. Attackers exploiting this weakness can manipulate database structures, potentially leading to complete data compromise or system availability issues. The confidentiality aspect allows for unauthorized data extraction, while the integrity component enables modification or deletion of critical database objects. This dual impact affects the fundamental security principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability that form the cornerstone of information security. Organizations relying on Oracle Database Text components for content management, search functionality, or document indexing are particularly vulnerable, as these systems often contain sensitive business data or personal information.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch application from Oracle's security advisories, as this vulnerability was addressed through the October 2009 Critical Patch Update. Network segmentation and privilege minimization approaches can reduce the attack surface by limiting access to database components and restricting the number of authenticated users who can invoke the vulnerable create_tables procedure. Database administrators should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries wherever possible, though the nature of this vulnerability requires core system patching. Monitoring for unusual database activity and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts, while adherence to the principle of least privilege ensures that even if exploitation occurs, the attacker's capabilities remain limited. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and the potential consequences of delayed vulnerability remediation in enterprise database environments, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1070 for indicator removal and T1190 for exploitation of remote services.