CVE-2013-0374 in Enterprise Manager Grid Control
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Enterprise Manager Base Platform component in Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control EM Base Platform 10.2.0.5 and 11.1.0.1; EM DB Control 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 EM Plugin for DB 12.1.0.1, and 12.1.0.2 allows remote attackers to affect integrity via unknown vectors related to Database Cloning.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0374 resides within Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control's Enterprise Manager Base Platform component and affects multiple versions of Oracle's database management systems including EM Base Platform 10.2.0.5 and 11.1.0.1, EM DB Control 10.2.0.3 through 11.2.0.3, and EM Plugin for DB 12.1.0.1 and 12.1.0.2. This issue specifically impacts the database cloning functionality and represents an unspecified weakness that enables remote attackers to compromise system integrity without requiring authentication credentials. The vulnerability's classification under the unspecified category indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains partially obscured, though the impact is clearly defined as affecting data integrity during database cloning operations. This weakness exists within Oracle's enterprise management infrastructure, which serves as a critical administrative interface for database monitoring and control, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to manipulate database environments. The affected components operate within the broader Oracle Enterprise Manager ecosystem, which provides centralized management capabilities for Oracle database environments, thereby amplifying the potential impact of exploitation.
The technical flaw manifests in the database cloning process where unauthorized remote actors can manipulate or corrupt data integrity within the Oracle database environment. Database cloning typically involves creating copies of database structures and their associated data for testing, development, or backup purposes, but this vulnerability allows attackers to interfere with these operations in ways that compromise the consistency and accuracy of cloned database instances. The unspecified nature of the vector suggests that the attack could potentially exploit multiple pathways including but not limited to input validation failures, improper access controls, or flawed data processing routines within the cloning mechanism. This vulnerability operates at the administrative layer of database management, where the integrity of database operations is paramount to maintaining data consistency and system reliability. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control serves as a centralized management platform that administrators rely upon for overseeing multiple database instances, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for enterprise environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0374 extends beyond simple data corruption as it represents a fundamental threat to database integrity and system reliability within enterprise environments. When attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability during database cloning operations, they can potentially alter or manipulate data in cloned databases, leading to inconsistent database states that may propagate back to production systems. This integrity compromise can result in cascading failures where corrupted data in cloned environments affects backup operations, testing procedures, and disaster recovery processes. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this weakness from outside the organization's network perimeter, eliminating the need for physical access or insider knowledge. Organizations using affected versions of Oracle Enterprise Manager may experience significant operational disruption as database cloning operations become unreliable, potentially leading to extended downtime during critical maintenance windows. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for data exfiltration or manipulation that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks, as compromised cloned databases might contain sensitive information or serve as staging areas for further exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0374 should focus on immediate patching of affected Oracle Enterprise Manager components and implementation of network segmentation to limit access to database management interfaces. Organizations should prioritize applying Oracle's security patches and updates released to address this vulnerability, as Oracle typically provides specific remediation guidance for affected versions. Network security controls including firewall rules, intrusion detection systems, and access control lists should be implemented to restrict access to Oracle Enterprise Manager interfaces, particularly those that support database cloning functionality. The principle of least privilege should be enforced for database management accounts, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to cloning operations and related administrative functions. Regular monitoring of database cloning operations and implementation of integrity checking mechanisms can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected Oracle products within their environment and ensure that all database management interfaces are properly secured. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and may be categorized under ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and data manipulation within database environments. The remediation process should also include regular security awareness training for database administrators to recognize potential exploitation attempts and maintain operational security practices.