CVE-2013-1519 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Application Express component in Oracle Database Server before 4.2.1 allows remote attackers to affect integrity via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1519 resides within Oracle Database Server's Application Express component, a web-based development environment that enables users to create database applications through a browser interface. This particular flaw exists in versions prior to 4.2.1 and represents a critical security weakness that could be exploited by remote attackers to compromise the integrity of database operations. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors indicates that the exact technical mechanisms remain undisclosed, which is common in zero-day exploits where attackers may leverage multiple attack surfaces within the component. The Application Express framework serves as a bridge between database functionality and web interfaces, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to manipulate database integrity through web-based attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability appears to stem from insufficient validation mechanisms within the Application Express component that processes user inputs and database operations. Attackers could potentially manipulate the integrity of database records, modify data consistency, or alter the expected behavior of database applications through carefully crafted inputs that exploit weaknesses in the component's processing logic. The vulnerability's classification as affecting integrity suggests that it could enable unauthorized modification of data within the database system, potentially allowing attackers to corrupt database records, alter transaction sequences, or manipulate data relationships that maintain database consistency. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-284 access control weaknesses and could potentially be leveraged through techniques such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting attacks that target the web interface layer of the database system.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it could compromise the fundamental trustworthiness of database operations within enterprise environments. Organizations relying on Oracle Database Server for critical business applications would face significant risks including unauthorized data modification, potential data loss, and disruption of business processes that depend on data integrity. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the database system or network infrastructure, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be exploited from anywhere on the internet. This vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate financial records, customer data, or other sensitive information that requires strict integrity controls, potentially leading to regulatory compliance violations and significant financial losses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1519 should prioritize immediate patching of Oracle Database Server installations to version 4.2.1 or later, as this represents the most direct solution to address the underlying vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the Application Express component to untrusted networks, while monitoring for suspicious database activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of their Application Express implementations to identify unnecessary features that could be disabled, and implement robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms within their database applications. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify similar weaknesses in other database components, as this vulnerability may indicate broader architectural issues within the database system's security posture. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under the T1190 exploitation for execution and T1078 valid accounts categories, as attackers may leverage legitimate user accounts to access and exploit the vulnerable component. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous database behavior patterns consistent with integrity compromise attempts, providing both preventive and detective controls against exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.