CVE-2012-3151 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Core RDBMS component in Oracle Database Server 10.2.0.4, 10.2.0.5, 11.1.0.7, 11.2.0.2, and 11.2.0.3, when running on Unix and Linux platforms, allows local users to affect integrity and availability via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3151 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle Database Server's Core RDBMS component affecting multiple version releases including 10.2.0.4, 10.2.0.5, 11.1.0.7, 11.2.0.2, and 11.2.0.3 when deployed on Unix and Linux operating systems. This unspecified vulnerability creates a potential attack surface that could be exploited by local users to compromise system integrity and availability, making it a critical concern for database administrators and security professionals managing Oracle environments. The vulnerability's classification as local means that attackers must already have access to the system to exploit it, but the potential impact on data integrity and system availability makes it particularly dangerous in environments where privileged access might be compromised.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the Core RDBMS component which serves as the fundamental engine for Oracle Database operations, handling core database functions including transaction processing, data storage, and query execution. As a local privilege escalation vulnerability, it likely involves flaws in how the database server processes certain operations or manages system resources when running on Unix and Linux platforms. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that the vulnerability may involve multiple pathways or could be related to how the database server handles specific internal processes, memory management, or system calls that differ between Unix/Linux environments and other platforms. This type of vulnerability typically manifests through improper access controls, buffer overflows, or privilege handling mechanisms that allow local users to escalate their privileges or manipulate core database operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3151 extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to encompass potential system availability disruption and broader security implications for Oracle Database deployments. Local users who exploit this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive database operations, potentially leading to data corruption, unauthorized data access, or complete system compromise. The availability impact suggests that attackers might be able to cause system instability or denial of service conditions through manipulation of core database processes. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Oracle Database servers are critical infrastructure components, potentially impacting business continuity and regulatory compliance requirements. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face risks of unauthorized data modification, potential data loss, and compromised database integrity that could require extensive forensic analysis and system restoration procedures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3151 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Oracle Database installations to the latest security patches provided by Oracle Corporation. System administrators should implement comprehensive access controls and privilege management policies to minimize the risk of local privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability's impact on Unix and Linux platforms necessitates additional monitoring and auditing of system logs for suspicious activities related to database processes and user access patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and privilege separation techniques to limit potential exploitation pathways. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access control issues, and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining exposure risks, while maintaining detailed audit trails to detect potential exploitation attempts. Given the nature of local vulnerabilities, organizations should also review their overall security posture, including user access management, system hardening practices, and incident response procedures to ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.