CVE-2012-0526 in Oracle
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Enterprise Manager Base Platform component in Oracle Database Server 10.2.0.3, 10.2.0.4, 10.2.0.5, 11.1.0.7, 11.2.0.2, and 11.2.0.3, and Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control 10.2.0.5, allows remote attackers to affect integrity via unknown vectors related to Schema Management.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0526 resides within Oracle Database Server's Enterprise Manager Base Platform component, specifically affecting multiple versions including 10.2.0.3 through 10.2.0.5, 11.1.0.7, and 11.2.0.2 through 11.2.0.3, along with Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control 10.2.0.5. This issue represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to compromise the integrity of database schema management operations without requiring authentication. The vulnerability operates within the Enterprise Manager framework which serves as a centralized management platform for Oracle database environments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to manipulate database structures and data integrity. The unspecified nature of the exact attack vectors suggests that this vulnerability may encompass multiple pathways through which schema management integrity can be compromised.
The technical flaw manifests in the schema management functionality of the Enterprise Manager Base Platform, where attackers can potentially manipulate database schemas through unknown vectors that relate to the underlying schema management processes. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of integrity violations as defined by CWE-355, where the system fails to properly validate or protect against unauthorized modifications to data structures. The attack surface extends beyond simple data access to include structural modifications that can fundamentally alter how database objects are organized and maintained. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from outside the local network, potentially leveraging this weakness to perform unauthorized schema modifications that could lead to data corruption, unauthorized access to sensitive information, or complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on Oracle Enterprise Manager for database management, as it could allow attackers to modify database schemas without detection. This compromise of schema management integrity can result in cascading effects throughout the database environment, potentially affecting multiple applications that depend on specific schema structures. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of Oracle Database Server and Enterprise Manager Grid Control indicates a widespread exposure across different deployment scenarios, making it particularly dangerous for large enterprises with extensive Oracle infrastructure. Organizations may experience data integrity issues, unauthorized modifications to database structures, and potential disruption of business-critical applications that depend on consistent schema definitions. The remote nature of the attack vector increases the risk profile significantly, as it eliminates the need for physical access or local network presence.
Security mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Oracle Database Server versions and Enterprise Manager Grid Control installations to address the schema management integrity vulnerability. Organizations must implement network segmentation to limit access to Enterprise Manager components and consider disabling unnecessary remote access to database management interfaces. Monitoring for unusual schema modification activities and implementing robust access controls for database management operations can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which involves initial access through malicious file or code execution, and T1486 which covers data manipulation through integrity violations. Regular security assessments of Oracle database environments and comprehensive vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar weaknesses in the enterprise infrastructure. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege for database management accounts and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all Oracle components will significantly reduce the risk exposure associated with this vulnerability.