CVE-2014-6545 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java VM 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, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-6453, CVE-2014-6467, and CVE-2014-6560.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6545 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle Database Server's Java Virtual Machine component that affects 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 unspecified flaw exists within the database server's Java execution environment and demonstrates the complex nature of database security where vulnerabilities in auxiliary components can have far-reaching consequences. The vulnerability specifically impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of database systems, making it a critical concern for enterprise environments that rely on Oracle Database for mission-critical operations. Unlike other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2014-6453, CVE-2014-6467, and CVE-2014-6560, CVE-2014-6545 operates through distinct attack vectors that require remote authenticated access, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials before exploiting this weakness.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the Java Virtual Machine implementation within Oracle Database Server, which provides a runtime environment for executing Java applications and stored procedures. When a user authenticates to the database system, they gain access to the Java execution environment where this vulnerability can be exploited. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw could manifest through various mechanisms within the Java VM's memory management, code execution, or resource handling processes. This type of vulnerability typically involves memory corruption issues or improper input validation that allows attackers to manipulate the Java execution environment. The impact spans all three fundamental principles of information security where confidentiality can be compromised through unauthorized data access, integrity may be violated through data modification, and availability could be disrupted through system instability or denial-of-service conditions.
From an operational standpoint, CVE-2014-6545 presents a substantial risk to database administrators and security teams who must manage Oracle Database environments. The requirement for remote authenticated access means that the vulnerability can be exploited by insiders or attackers who have gained valid user credentials through social engineering, credential theft, or other means of unauthorized access. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for the complete compromise of database security principles, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive information, modify critical data, or disrupt database operations entirely. The affected versions span multiple major releases, indicating that this was a widespread issue that required coordinated patching efforts across different Oracle Database versions. Organizations using these database versions face significant exposure if they have not applied the relevant security patches from Oracle.
The vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework, particularly in the privilege escalation and defense evasion categories. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could leverage it to gain deeper access to database systems and potentially move laterally within networks. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability likely maps to categories involving improper input validation, memory safety issues, or runtime environment flaws within virtual machine implementations. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that database servers often contain sensitive information and are frequently targeted by attackers seeking to compromise enterprise data assets. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of keeping database systems updated with the latest security patches and maintaining comprehensive security monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. Proper security posture requires regular vulnerability assessments, privileged access reviews, and adherence to security best practices to minimize the risk of exploitation.