CVE-2015-4753 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the RDBMS Support Tools component in Oracle Database Server 11.2.0.3, 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.1, and 12.1.0.2 allows local users to affect confidentiality via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4753 resides within the RDBMS Support Tools component of Oracle Database Server versions 11.2.0.3, 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.1, and 12.1.0.2. This issue represents a significant security weakness that affects the confidentiality of data stored within Oracle database environments. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation risk, meaning it can be exploited by users who already have access to the system but lack administrative privileges. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors indicates that the exact technical mechanism through which the confidentiality breach occurs has not been fully disclosed in the public CVE description, which is common for certain types of database security flaws. This particular vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure weaknesses that can potentially expose sensitive database information to unauthorized local users who may have legitimate access to the system but are not authorized to access all data within the database environment.
The technical flaw associated with CVE-2015-4753 stems from inadequate access controls and privilege management within the RDBMS Support Tools component. This component typically provides administrative utilities and tools for database maintenance and support operations, making it a critical area for security consideration. When local users can exploit this vulnerability, they can potentially access confidential database information that should be restricted to authorized database administrators or users with specific privileges. The weakness likely involves improper validation of user permissions or inadequate enforcement of access controls that should normally prevent local users from accessing sensitive database metadata, configuration information, or data that should remain protected. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where users should only have access to the minimum resources necessary for their legitimate operations. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. The RDBMS Support Tools component typically handles critical database operations such as backup and recovery procedures, database monitoring, and administrative functions, making any weakness in this area particularly concerning for database security.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4753 extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass broader security implications for database environments. Local users who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially access sensitive database information including user credentials, database schemas, configuration details, and other confidential data that may reveal the internal structure of the database system. This exposure can lead to cascading security issues where attackers can use the leaked information to plan more sophisticated attacks against the database environment. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Oracle Database Server, indicating it is a persistent issue that spans several releases, which increases the potential attack surface and makes remediation more complex for organizations with legacy systems. Organizations using these affected versions face the risk of data breaches, compliance violations, and potential regulatory penalties if sensitive information is exposed through this vulnerability. The impact is particularly severe because the vulnerability is local in nature, meaning that attackers do not require network access or complex external exploitation techniques to gain access to sensitive data. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to malicious insiders or attackers who have already gained access to the system through other means, as they can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges and access additional sensitive information within the database environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4753 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Oracle Database Server installations to the latest security patches released by Oracle. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include regular scanning for affected systems and prompt deployment of security updates. Access control measures should be strengthened through proper privilege management, ensuring that local users have only the minimum necessary access rights to perform their legitimate functions. Database administrators should conduct regular audits of user privileges and access logs to detect any unauthorized access attempts or unusual activities that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect and prevent lateral movement within database environments, even when local access has been compromised. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining current security awareness training for database administrators and system operators to recognize potential signs of privilege escalation attempts. Additionally, organizations should implement database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous access patterns or attempts to access restricted database information, providing early warning capabilities that can help prevent successful exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in database configurations and access controls.