CVE-2011-2242 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Core RDBMS component in Oracle Database Server 11.2.0.1 and 11.2.0.2 allows local users to affect confidentiality, related to XML DB FTP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2242 resides within Oracle Database Server's Core RDBMS component and specifically affects versions 11.2.0.1 and 11.2.0.2. This issue manifests as an unspecified weakness that enables local attackers to compromise data confidentiality through interactions with the XML DB FTP functionality. The vulnerability's classification as local indicates that exploitation requires an attacker to already have access to the target system, typically through legitimate user credentials or system-level access. The XML DB FTP component represents Oracle's implementation of file transfer protocol capabilities within the database environment, providing mechanisms for file system access and management directly through database interfaces.
The technical flaw within this vulnerability stems from inadequate security controls within the XML DB FTP subsystem that governs how file operations are handled within the database context. When local users interact with XML DB FTP functionality, the system fails to properly validate or restrict access to sensitive data, potentially allowing unauthorized data disclosure. This weakness specifically impacts the confidentiality aspect of the information security triad, meaning that attackers can potentially access and exfiltrate sensitive database information without proper authorization. The vulnerability's nature suggests that it may involve improper access control mechanisms or insufficient input validation within the FTP processing routines that handle XML data operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to database environments where local access is possible, as it could enable privilege escalation or data exfiltration scenarios. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as attackers with local access could potentially manipulate XML data structures, access sensitive configuration files, or extract database metadata that could facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Oracle Database Server for mission-critical applications, particularly those with complex data management requirements where XML DB FTP functionality is actively used. The local nature of the vulnerability means that traditional network-based security controls may not prevent exploitation, requiring additional host-level security measures to mitigate risk.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that include immediate patch deployment from Oracle to address the identified vulnerability in affected database versions. System administrators should conduct thorough access reviews to minimize local user privileges and implement the principle of least privilege across database environments. The mitigation approach should incorporate enhanced monitoring of XML DB FTP activities and regular security audits of database configurations to detect anomalous access patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring tools that can detect unauthorized data access attempts through the XML DB FTP interface. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and may relate to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access through database exploitation. Organizations must also ensure proper network segmentation and host-based security controls to prevent local privilege escalation scenarios that could lead to broader system compromise.