CVE-2015-4888 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, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-4796.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4888 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle Database Server's Java Virtual Machine component affecting versions 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.1, and 12.1.0.2. This issue falls under the broader category of database server vulnerabilities that can compromise the fundamental security principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the Java Virtual Machine layer that executes Java-based applications and stored procedures within the database environment, creating potential attack vectors that extend beyond traditional database exploitation methods. Unlike CVE-2015-4796 which addressed different attack surfaces, CVE-2015-4888 specifically targets the underlying JVM execution environment, making it a critical component of the overall database security posture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from unspecified attack vectors that operate within the Java Virtual Machine implementation of Oracle Database Server. This suggests that the flaw exists in how the JVM processes and executes Java code within the database context, potentially allowing authenticated attackers to manipulate the execution environment or exploit memory management functions. The unspecified nature of the vectors indicates that the vulnerability could manifest through various attack pathways including but not limited to code injection, memory corruption, or privilege escalation within the database's Java execution environment. The vulnerability's classification under CWE categories related to unspecified flaws in JVM implementations demonstrates the complexity of identifying and mitigating issues that arise from the interaction between database engines and virtual machine execution environments.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on Oracle Database Server with Java-based applications. The potential to affect confidentiality means that attackers could gain access to sensitive data processed through Java stored procedures or applications running within the database environment. Integrity compromise could allow malicious actors to modify database content or alter the execution of Java code, potentially leading to data corruption or unauthorized changes to business logic. Availability threats could manifest through denial-of-service conditions that disrupt database operations or cause system instability when Java applications are executed. The remote authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system but can exploit the flaw through network connections, making the attack surface significantly larger than local privilege escalation vulnerabilities.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that include immediate patching of affected Oracle Database Server versions to address the JVM vulnerability. System administrators must ensure that all instances running affected versions are updated with the latest Oracle security patches, as the vulnerability affects multiple versions and requires coordinated remediation efforts across the enterprise database infrastructure. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit the number of authenticated users with access to database systems, reducing the potential attack surface. Monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual database activity patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around Java-based stored procedure execution. The vulnerability's impact aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion through database exploitation, making it essential for security teams to implement layered defensive measures that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader attack patterns that could leverage similar exploitation methods.