CVE-2012-0072 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Listener component in Oracle Database Server 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.3, 10.2.0.4, 10.2.0.5, 11.1.0.7, and 11.2.0.2 allows remote attackers to affect availability via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0072 resides within the Listener component of Oracle Database Server, representing a critical availability threat that affects multiple versions including 10.1.0.5, 10.2.0.3 through 10.2.0.5, 11.1.0.7, and 11.2.0.2. This unspecified flaw operates at the network listener level where Oracle Database servers typically expose services to remote clients, creating a potential attack surface that adversaries can exploit to disrupt database availability. The Listener component serves as the primary communication gateway for database connections, making it a prime target for denial-of-service attacks that could render database services inaccessible to legitimate users and applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves unknown attack vectors that enable remote attackers to compromise the availability of Oracle Database services without necessarily gaining unauthorized access to database content or credentials. This characteristic places the vulnerability within the realm of availability-focused attacks rather than confidentiality or integrity breaches, though the impact can be severe enough to affect business operations and data accessibility. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that the vulnerability may involve multiple exploitation pathways or could be a complex interaction between various components within the Listener functionality. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would likely map to CWE-119, which deals with weak buffer access, or CWE-400, which addresses resource exhaustion, both of which can lead to availability disruption in network services.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0072 extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially affect entire database infrastructures and business continuity operations. When attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, they can cause the Listener service to crash or become unresponsive, effectively blocking legitimate database connections and potentially causing cascading failures throughout applications that depend on database availability. This type of attack can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where database services support critical business applications, financial systems, or customer-facing services that require high availability and reliability. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the database server or network segments, making it accessible from anywhere on the internet.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected Oracle Database versions through official Oracle security updates and patches, which would address the underlying Listener component flaws. Network segmentation and firewall restrictions can help limit exposure by restricting access to database Listener ports from trusted networks only, while implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, configuring the Listener to use secure network protocols and implementing proper monitoring of Listener service availability can provide early detection of potential attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1499.004 for network denial of service and T1566 for social engineering, though the specific attack vectors remain unspecified in the public CVE description, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures including regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes. Organizations should also consider implementing redundant database services and failover mechanisms to maintain operational continuity in case of successful exploitation attempts.