CVE-2011-2238 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Database Vault component in Oracle Database Server 10.2.0.3, 10.2.0.4, 10.2.0.5, 11.1.0.7, and 11.2.0.1 allows remote authenticated users to affect integrity, related to DBMS_SYS_SQL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2238 resides within Oracle Database Server's Database Vault component, specifically affecting versions 10.2.0.3 through 10.2.0.5 and 11.1.0.7 through 11.2.0.1. This represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of database operations through the DBMS_SYS_SQL package, which serves as a privileged interface for executing dynamic SQL statements within the database environment. The Database Vault component is designed to provide additional security controls and data protection mechanisms, making this vulnerability particularly concerning as it could be exploited by authenticated attackers who already possess valid database credentials.
The technical flaw manifests through the DBMS_SYS_SQL package, which provides advanced database administration capabilities that typically require elevated privileges. This package allows for dynamic SQL execution with system-level privileges, creating a potential attack surface where authenticated users could manipulate database integrity through crafted SQL statements. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and privilege escalation mechanisms within the package's implementation, enabling attackers to execute unauthorized operations that should be restricted to database administrators. This weakness specifically targets the integrity aspect of the CIA triad, allowing malicious actors to modify or corrupt database contents through legitimate administrative interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables authenticated users to compromise the integrity of database operations and potentially access sensitive information. Attackers could exploit this flaw to modify database records, manipulate audit trails, or corrupt data structures through the DBMS_SYS_SQL interface. The vulnerability affects organizations that implement Database Vault as part of their security strategy, potentially undermining the very protection mechanisms designed to safeguard critical data assets. Organizations relying on Oracle Database Server versions affected by this vulnerability face significant risk of data integrity breaches, which could lead to regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2238 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Oracle Database Server versions, as Oracle has released security updates to address this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring of DBMS_SYS_SQL package usage and establish strict access controls for database administrative functions. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the number of users with access to privileged database interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for malicious file execution. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability.