CVE-2014-4290 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the JPublisher component in Oracle Database Server 11.1.0.7, 11.2.0.3, 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.1, and 12.1.0.2 allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality via unknown vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-4291, CVE-2014-4292, CVE-2014-4293, CVE-2014-4296, CVE-2014-4297, CVE-2014-4310, CVE-2014-6547, and CVE-2014-6477.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4290 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle Database Server's JPublisher component, affecting multiple versions including 11.1.0.7, 11.2.0.3, 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.1, and 12.1.0.2. This issue falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities, where authenticated remote attackers can potentially compromise data confidentiality without direct access to the underlying database systems. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that Oracle did not provide detailed technical information about the specific mechanism that enables this security breach, making it particularly concerning for security professionals who must assess risk without complete technical details.
The technical flaw within the JPublisher component stems from inadequate security controls that allow authenticated users to exploit unknown vectors to affect confidentiality. This component serves as a tool for generating Java classes from database schema definitions and typically operates within the database server environment. The vulnerability's nature suggests a potential weakness in the component's access controls or data handling mechanisms that could enable unauthorized data exposure. Given that this is a remote authenticated vulnerability, attackers must first establish valid credentials to access the database system, but once authenticated, they can leverage this weakness to compromise sensitive information. The vulnerability's distinction from other related CVEs such as CVE-2014-4291 through CVE-2014-6477 indicates that it operates through different technical mechanisms, suggesting multiple attack surfaces within the Oracle Database Server ecosystem.
Operationally, the impact of CVE-2014-4290 extends beyond simple data exposure to potentially compromise the integrity of database operations and the overall security posture of organizations relying on affected Oracle Database versions. The vulnerability could enable attackers to access sensitive data that should remain protected, including but not limited to customer information, financial records, proprietary business data, and other confidential information stored within the database. The remote nature of the attack vector means that threat actors could exploit this vulnerability from outside the organization's network perimeter, making detection and prevention more challenging. Organizations using affected Oracle Database versions face increased risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to unauthorized data access. The authentication requirement, while providing some protection, does not eliminate the risk entirely since legitimate users with compromised credentials or attackers who have obtained valid authentication tokens could exploit this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4290 should include immediate implementation of Oracle's security patches and updates, as these typically contain the necessary fixes for identified vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement robust access control measures, including strong authentication mechanisms, regular credential rotation, and monitoring of database access patterns for suspicious activities. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to database systems to only authorized personnel and applications. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring solutions can help detect unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in database configurations. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and potentially CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, while the attack vectors may map to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access. Organizations should also consider implementing database encryption, both at rest and in transit, as an additional protective measure against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.