CVE-2009-1993 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Application Express component in Oracle Database 3.0.1 allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality and integrity, related to FLOWS_030000.WWV_EXECUTE_IMMEDIATE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1993 resides within Oracle Database's Application Express component version 3.0.1, representing a significant security weakness that affects database administrators and application developers who rely on this web-based development environment. This flaw specifically targets the FLOWS_030000.WWV_EXECUTE_IMMEDIATE functionality, which serves as a critical execution mechanism for dynamic SQL operations within the Oracle Application Express framework. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability suggests a complex underlying issue that could potentially impact multiple aspects of database security and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and privilege escalation mechanisms within the WWV_EXECUTE_IMMEDIATE procedure, which allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands with elevated privileges. This weakness enables malicious actors who have already gained legitimate authentication credentials to exploit the system's trust model and perform unauthorized operations that could compromise sensitive data or modify critical database structures. The vulnerability operates through the application's web interface, making it accessible to remote attackers who can leverage their authenticated sessions to manipulate database objects and execute malicious code.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-1993 extends beyond simple data confidentiality breaches, as it fundamentally undermines the integrity of database operations and can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to access restricted database tables, modify application logic, manipulate user permissions, and potentially escalate privileges to system-level access. This weakness particularly affects organizations using Oracle Database versions that include the vulnerable Application Express component, creating a substantial risk for businesses that rely on web-based database applications for critical operations. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the database server, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that include immediate patching of affected Oracle Database versions, strict network segmentation to limit access to database servers, and enhanced monitoring of database activity for suspicious execution patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and may also map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and command execution. Database administrators should conduct thorough security assessments, review user permissions, and implement the principle of least privilege to minimize potential damage. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling unnecessary database features, implementing robust database activity monitoring, and maintaining up-to-date security patches to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.