CVE-2016-3467 in Oracle
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Application Express component in Oracle Database Server before 5.0.4 allows remote attackers to affect availability via unknown vectors.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3467 resides within Oracle Database Server's Application Express component, representing a critical weakness that emerged prior to version 5.0.4. This flaw falls under the category of availability impact, indicating that malicious actors could potentially disrupt service operations without necessarily gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or system privileges. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors suggests that attackers could exploit multiple pathways to compromise the availability of the database system, making it particularly concerning for organizations relying on Oracle Database infrastructure.
Application Express serves as a web-based development environment that allows users to build database applications directly within Oracle Database, making it a crucial component for enterprise database management systems. The vulnerability affects the core availability of the database server, which could result in denial of service conditions that prevent legitimate users from accessing database resources. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-1004 which addresses weaknesses in security design that could lead to availability impacts. The attack surface is particularly broad as Application Express typically operates over network connections and interfaces with database systems through standard web protocols, creating multiple potential entry points for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as database availability issues can cascade throughout enterprise systems that depend on consistent database access for business operations. Organizations utilizing Oracle Database Server with Application Express components could face significant downtime, loss of productivity, and potential financial impacts when such availability issues occur. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, allowing them to target vulnerable installations from anywhere on the network. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks that target availability of systems and networks.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching to Oracle Database Server versions 5.0.4 and later, as this represents the most effective solution to address the underlying vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to Application Express components, employ robust firewall rules to restrict unnecessary network access, and establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of database environments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, while implementing principle of least privilege controls to minimize potential impact should exploitation occur. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date database security patches as part of comprehensive cybersecurity programs, particularly for components that provide web-based access to database systems.