CVE-2010-0851 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the XML DB component in Oracle Database 9.2.0.8, 9.2.0.8DV, 10.1.0.5, and 10.2.0.3 allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0851 resides within Oracle Database's XML DB component, representing a significant security weakness that affects multiple database versions including 9.2.0.8, 9.2.0.8DV, 10.1.0.5, and 10.2.0.3. This unspecified flaw operates at the database level and specifically targets the XML Database functionality that enables storage, retrieval, and manipulation of XML data within Oracle Database environments. The vulnerability's classification as remote authenticated indicates that an attacker must possess valid database credentials to exploit the issue, yet the attack can be executed from any location with network access to the database server. The XML DB component serves as a crucial interface for handling XML data and integrates deeply with Oracle Database's core operations, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying heavily on XML-based data processing.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a weakness in how Oracle Database processes XML data through its XML DB component, though the exact implementation flaw remains unspecified in the CVE description. This type of vulnerability typically stems from inadequate input validation, improper access controls, or flawed data handling mechanisms within the XML processing subsystem. The affected XML DB component likely handles various XML operations including parsing, transformation, and storage functions that could be manipulated by authenticated users to access sensitive data or potentially compromise data confidentiality. The unspecified vector suggests that the attack mechanism could involve multiple pathways within the XML DB architecture, potentially including malformed XML inputs, specific XML queries, or manipulation of XML storage structures that could trigger unexpected behavior in the database's XML processing engine.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a serious risk to database security and data integrity, particularly in environments where database administrators and application users maintain authenticated access to Oracle Database systems. The fact that the vulnerability affects multiple database versions indicates it was likely present across a significant portion of Oracle Database installations during that time period, potentially exposing numerous organizations to risk. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to confidential data stored within XML database objects, potentially including sensitive business information, personal data, or proprietary content. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate XML data structures, potentially corrupting database content or creating backdoor access points within the XML DB environment. Organizations using Oracle Database XML DB functionality would be particularly vulnerable since the attack requires only authentication credentials rather than complex exploitation techniques, making it accessible to insiders or compromised accounts.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and potentially CWE-284, concerning improper access control, as the flaw likely involves either inadequate validation of XML inputs or insufficient access controls within the XML DB component. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability would map to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, as attackers leverage legitimate authenticated sessions to exploit the XML DB weakness. The attack vector typically involves crafting specific XML operations or queries that trigger the underlying vulnerability, potentially through XML-based data manipulation or exploitation of XML processing functions. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive database monitoring solutions to detect anomalous XML processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current Oracle Database patches and updates, as Oracle would have addressed this issue in subsequent security releases. Additionally, implementing network segmentation, limiting database user privileges, and regularly auditing XML DB usage patterns would provide additional layers of defense against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.