CVE-2015-0373 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the OJVM 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0373 resides within the Oracle Java Virtual Machine component of Oracle Database Server versions 11.1.0.7, 11.2.0.3, 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.1, and 12.1.0.2. This represents a critical security flaw that affects the core database infrastructure where Oracle's Java Virtual Machine executes Java-based applications and stored procedures. The OJVM component serves as the execution environment for Java code within the database context, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise database systems. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that Oracle did not provide detailed technical information about the specific attack vectors, which typically suggests either a complex or multiple underlying issues that could potentially be exploited through various means.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows authenticated remote attackers to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems, representing a severe three-pronged threat to database security. The fact that exploitation requires authentication suggests that attackers must first gain valid credentials, potentially through credential theft, social engineering, or other initial compromise techniques. However, once authenticated, the vulnerability provides attackers with the capability to manipulate database contents, access sensitive information, and potentially disrupt database operations. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of unspecified weakness types, typically classified as CWE-119 for memory-related issues or CWE-20 for input validation problems, though the exact classification remains undetermined due to the unspecified nature of the vulnerability description.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise database environments where Oracle Database Server is extensively deployed. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions face potential data breaches, unauthorized data modification, and service disruption that could affect business continuity and regulatory compliance. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur from external networks, making traditional network perimeter defenses insufficient for protection. Database administrators and security teams must consider that this vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive enterprise data, particularly when combined with other vulnerabilities or through lateral movement within the network. The impact extends beyond immediate data compromise to include potential regulatory violations under data protection laws such as gdpr and hipaa, depending on the nature of the data stored in affected databases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0373 should focus on immediate patch deployment as the primary defense mechanism, as Oracle has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected database versions are updated promptly. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit the number of authenticated users with database access, implementing the principle of least privilege. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual database activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions and regular vulnerability assessments to identify potential exploitation indicators. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Oracle Database versions emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all database environments and implementing automated patch management systems to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in the organization's infrastructure.