CVE-2015-4764 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-2015-2626, CVE-2015-2640, CVE-2015-2654, CVE-2015-2656, CVE-2015-4754, 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-2015-4764 affects Oracle Berkeley DB Data Store component across multiple versions including 11.2.5.1.29, 11.2.5.2.42, 11.2.5.3.28, and 12.1.6.0.35. This issue represents a significant security weakness within the database management system that operates at the core of data storage and retrieval operations. The vulnerability resides within the Data Store component which is responsible for managing database files, transactions, and data consistency mechanisms. As a local privilege escalation vulnerability, it specifically targets users who already have access to the system but seek to expand their privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors makes it particularly concerning because it could potentially encompass multiple attack surfaces within the database engine's architecture.
The technical flaw within the Oracle Berkeley DB Data Store component manifests as a weakness that can compromise the fundamental security properties of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This triad of security concerns indicates that attackers could potentially read sensitive information, modify database contents, or disrupt service availability through this vulnerability. The Data Store component handles critical database operations including transaction management, data indexing, and file system interactions, making it a prime target for exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as a local issue suggests that attackers need to already have some level of system access, but this access can be leveraged to bypass additional security controls. The distinction from other CVE identifiers such as CVE-2015-2583 through CVE-2015-4790 demonstrates that this represents a unique attack vector within the broader suite of vulnerabilities affecting the same database system.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2015-4764 extends beyond simple data compromise to potentially disrupt business operations and data integrity. Organizations relying on Oracle Berkeley DB for critical applications face significant risk as local attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, manipulate transaction records, or even cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects systems where the database is installed locally, making it particularly dangerous for environments where multiple users share the same system or where privilege escalation opportunities exist. The lack of specific details about the attack vectors means that organizations cannot easily determine their exposure level without comprehensive security assessments of their database configurations and access controls.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader attack frameworks such as those defined in the MITRE ATT&CK methodology, where local privilege escalation techniques fall under specific tactics and techniques. The vulnerability aligns with CWE categories related to insufficient privilege management and inadequate access controls, specifically CWE-276 which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the latest Oracle patches, restricting local system access, and implementing comprehensive monitoring for suspicious database activities. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of the database software suggests that organizations need to conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all affected systems and ensure consistent patch management across their infrastructure. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of such local vulnerabilities by reducing the attack surface and preventing unauthorized access to database systems.