CVE-2015-4796 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, when running on Windows, allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-4888.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4796 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Database Server's Java Virtual Machine component, specifically affecting versions 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.1, and 12.1.0.2 when deployed on Windows operating systems. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of Java VM security issues that can have severe implications for database environments. The affected Java Virtual Machine component operates as a critical execution layer for Java-based applications within the database server, 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 exact nature of the flaw during the initial disclosure, which is common for certain types of memory corruption or privilege escalation issues.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows remote authenticated users to exploit it, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to access the database system. However, once authenticated, the attacker can leverage this vulnerability to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the database system. This three-pronged impact aligns with the fundamental principles of information security and represents a severe threat to database environments. The vulnerability operates through unknown vectors, suggesting that the attack mechanism may involve complex interactions between the Java VM and the underlying Windows operating system, potentially involving memory management issues, privilege escalation paths, or resource manipulation techniques. The distinction from CVE-2015-4888 indicates that this represents a separate attack surface within the same software component, highlighting the complexity of Oracle's Java VM implementation.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2015-4796 extends beyond simple data theft or system disruption. The ability to affect confidentiality means that sensitive data stored within the database could be accessed by unauthorized users, potentially exposing personal information, financial records, or proprietary business data. Integrity compromise allows attackers to modify database contents, potentially corrupting critical business information or manipulating transactional data to create false records. Availability disruption can result in complete system outages or denial of service conditions, severely impacting business operations and potentially causing financial losses. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of Oracle Database Server creates widespread exposure across organizations that may have different database versions deployed in their environments, making the attack surface particularly extensive.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several common attack patterns found in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to establish persistent access to database systems, making it a valuable target for advanced persistent threat actors. The Windows-specific nature of the vulnerability suggests that attackers may leverage Windows-specific exploitation techniques or combine the Java VM vulnerability with Windows-based attack vectors. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling exercises, particularly when evaluating risks associated with database access and privilege management. The vulnerability's classification as affecting the Java VM component also indicates potential connections to broader application security issues that may affect other Java-based systems within the enterprise environment. Security teams should implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual database activities and ensure that all database systems are properly patched and updated according to Oracle's security advisory releases.
The remediation approach for CVE-2015-4796 requires immediate attention from database administrators and security teams. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant Oracle security patches and updates that address this vulnerability in their database environments. The patching process should be carefully planned to minimize disruption to business operations while ensuring complete protection against exploitation. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running the affected Oracle Database versions and ensure proper access controls are implemented to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks. Network segmentation and privilege least-privilege principles should be enforced to reduce the attack surface for database systems. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be performed to validate the effectiveness of implemented security controls and identify any additional vulnerabilities that may exist within the database environment.