CVE-2015-2626 in Berkeley DB
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Data Store component in Oracle Berkeley DB 11.2.5.1.29, 11.2.5.2.42, 11.2.5.3.28, and 12.1.6.0.35 allows local users to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-2583, CVE-2015-2624, CVE-2015-2640, CVE-2015-2654, CVE-2015-2656, CVE-2015-4754, CVE-2015-4764, CVE-2015-4775, CVE-2015-4776, CVE-2015-4777, CVE-2015-4778, CVE-2015-4780, CVE-2015-4781, CVE-2015-4782, CVE-2015-4783, CVE-2015-4784, CVE-2015-4785, CVE-2015-4786, CVE-2015-4787, CVE-2015-4789, and CVE-2015-4790.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2626 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle Berkeley DB's Data Store component affecting multiple version releases including 11.2.5.1.29, 11.2.5.2.42, 11.2.5.3.28, and 12.1.6.0.35. This issue falls under the category of unspecified vulnerability, indicating that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed in the public records, though the impact spans all three fundamental pillars of information security. The vulnerability specifically targets local users who can exploit it to compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local access is possible.
The Data Store component in Oracle Berkeley DB serves as a critical foundation for database operations, providing storage and retrieval capabilities for applications that rely on this embedded database system. When compromised through CVE-2015-2626, attackers can potentially manipulate stored data, access sensitive information, or disrupt database operations entirely. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors suggests that the flaw could manifest through multiple attack pathways, including but not limited to memory corruption, privilege escalation, or improper access controls within the database engine. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against as the attack surface remains unclear and potentially broader than initially apparent.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it affects all three core security principles defined in the CIA triad. Confidentiality breaches could result in unauthorized data access and exposure of sensitive information stored within the database. Integrity violations might allow attackers to modify or corrupt database records, potentially leading to data inconsistencies and system instability. Availability impacts could manifest through denial-of-service conditions that prevent legitimate users from accessing database services, effectively disrupting business operations. The vulnerability's classification as local access only indicates that exploitation requires physical or logical access to the target system, though this limitation does not diminish its potential impact.
Security practitioners should note that CVE-2015-2626 is distinct from numerous other vulnerabilities affecting the same Oracle Berkeley DB versions, specifically excluding CVE-2015-2583, CVE-2015-2624, and several others listed in the description. This distinction is important for vulnerability management and patching efforts, as it indicates that organizations must address this specific vulnerability separately from other related issues. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions suggests a systemic issue within the Data Store component that was not adequately addressed through earlier patches or updates, requiring comprehensive remediation across all affected releases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2626 should include immediate patching of affected Oracle Berkeley DB installations to the latest available versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local system access, as this vulnerability specifically targets local users. Monitoring for unusual database access patterns or unauthorized modifications should be implemented, particularly in environments where local access controls may be less stringent. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors that may not be immediately apparent. The vulnerability's unspecified nature suggests that defensive measures should be comprehensive rather than targeted, as the exact attack methods remain unknown. This aligns with the principle of defense in depth, ensuring that multiple layers of protection are in place to prevent exploitation regardless of the specific attack vector used.
From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability may impact organizations subject to regulations such as pci dss, hipaa, or gdpr, where data protection and system integrity are mandatory requirements. The potential for confidentiality breaches could result in regulatory violations and significant financial penalties, while availability impacts could affect service level agreements and business continuity requirements. Organizations should also consider the vulnerability in relation to industry frameworks such as the mitre att&ck framework, where local privilege escalation and data manipulation techniques could be mapped to specific tactics and techniques. The vulnerability's classification as affecting multiple versions also suggests that it may have been present across different release cycles, potentially indicating a longer window of exposure that requires careful assessment of potential compromise indicators.