CVE-2015-4794 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java VM component in Oracle Database Server 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 • 06/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4794 resides within the Java Virtual Machine component of Oracle Database Server versions 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.1, and 12.1.0.2, representing a critical security flaw that exposes organizations to significant risks. This unspecified vulnerability affects the core database functionality and operates within the Java execution environment that Oracle Database utilizes for various enterprise applications. The vulnerability's classification as remote and authenticated indicates that attackers must possess valid credentials to exploit the flaw, yet the impact extends across all three fundamental security principles: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors suggests that the underlying technical flaw could manifest through multiple attack pathways within the Java VM subsystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from weaknesses within the Java Virtual Machine's processing mechanisms, which are integral to Oracle Database's ability to execute Java-based applications and stored procedures. When authenticated users interact with the database through Java-enabled functionalities, the flawed VM component may permit unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulation of database structures, or disruption of service availability. The vulnerability's potential for affecting all three pillars of information security means that attackers could compromise data confidentiality by accessing protected information, corrupt database integrity through malicious code execution, or cause availability disruptions through service exhaustion or system instability. The Java VM's role in database operations makes this particularly dangerous as it serves as an execution environment for business-critical applications and stored procedures.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2015-4794 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a potential gateway for more sophisticated attacks within enterprise networks. Organizations utilizing affected Oracle Database versions face risks of data breaches, system compromise, and business disruption that could cascade through interconnected systems. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that insider threats or compromised accounts pose significant risks, while the unspecified vectors suggest that traditional security controls may not adequately protect against all potential attack scenarios. The vulnerability's presence in multiple database versions indicates that organizations may have extended exposure periods without realizing the risk, as the flaw could remain undetected while attackers gradually develop more sophisticated exploitation techniques. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of broader threat modeling activities, particularly in environments where database access is granted to multiple user roles.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying Oracle's security patches and updates as soon as they become available, which aligns with industry best practices for vulnerability management. The mitigation approach should encompass comprehensive network segmentation to limit access to database systems, enhanced monitoring of database activities for suspicious authenticated access patterns, and implementation of principle of least privilege controls for database user accounts. Security controls should also address the Java VM component specifically, potentially through disabling unnecessary Java functionality within the database or implementing additional access controls around Java-based database objects. The vulnerability's classification under CWE categories related to unspecified flaws in virtual machines and execution environments indicates that organizations should strengthen their overall application security posture, particularly around database integration points and Java-based application deployments. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with exploitation attempts targeting the Java VM component.