CVE-2012-1745 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Network Layer 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 allows remote attackers to affect availability via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1745 represents a critical weakness within Oracle Database Server's Network Layer component that affects multiple versions including 10.2.0.3 through 10.2.0.5 and 11.1.0.7 through 11.2.0.3. This unspecified flaw resides in the database server's network communication infrastructure, specifically targeting the network layer that handles incoming connections and data transmission between database clients and the server. The vulnerability's classification as affecting availability indicates that malicious actors could potentially disrupt database services without necessarily gaining unauthorized access to data or system privileges. Such attacks typically aim to cause denial of service conditions that render database systems inaccessible to legitimate users.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the Network Layer's handling of incoming network requests and connections, where insufficient validation or error handling mechanisms may allow specially crafted network packets to trigger unexpected behavior within the database server. This type of vulnerability often manifests through buffer overflows, improper input validation, or resource exhaustion conditions that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication credentials. The unspecified nature of the exact attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways exist for exploitation, potentially including malformed network protocol messages, unexpected connection sequences, or manipulation of network layer parameters that could cause the database server to crash, hang, or otherwise become unavailable to legitimate database operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1745 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise business continuity and data availability for organizations relying on Oracle Database systems. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability could result in extended downtime for database services, leading to significant financial losses, operational delays, and potential customer dissatisfaction. Organizations with mission-critical database systems face particular risk as database unavailability can cascade into broader system failures, especially in environments where database services support core business applications, transaction processing, or enterprise resource planning systems. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the network, making traditional network perimeter security measures insufficient for protection against this specific threat.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1745 primarily focus on applying Oracle's official security patches and updates that address the underlying network layer vulnerability. Organizations should immediately implement the relevant Oracle Critical Patch Update (CPU) releases that contain fixes for this vulnerability, as these patches typically include enhanced input validation, improved error handling, and strengthened network protocol processing routines. Network segmentation and firewall configurations should be reviewed to limit unnecessary access to database ports and services, while intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious network activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network monitoring tools that track database service availability and performance metrics can provide early warning signs of potential exploitation attempts, allowing security teams to respond quickly to mitigate impacts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses weaknesses in the storage of data that can lead to memory corruption and availability issues, and may relate to ATT&CK technique T1499 which involves network disruption attacks targeting availability.