CVE-2016-3489 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Data Pump Import component in Oracle Database Server 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.1, and 12.1.0.2 allows local users to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3489 resides within Oracle Database Server's Data Pump Import component, specifically affecting versions 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.1, and 12.1.0.2. This represents a critical security flaw that enables local attackers to compromise the fundamental security properties of the database system through unspecified attack vectors. The Data Pump Import functionality is designed to efficiently import data from Oracle export files, making it a critical component for database administration and data migration operations. The vulnerability's classification as local privilege escalation means that an attacker with access to the system can leverage this weakness to gain elevated privileges and potentially compromise the entire database infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the Data Pump Import process, allowing malicious code execution or data manipulation that can affect all three core security principles. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to exploit the system's trust model and manipulate database operations from within the local environment. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways may exist for exploitation, including but not limited to privilege escalation, code injection, or data corruption mechanisms. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability likely maps to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, as the system fails to properly validate input parameters during the import process, and potentially CWE-119: Improper Restriction of Operations within a Single Facility, indicating inadequate boundary checks in the data processing pipeline.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3489 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to compromise data confidentiality by accessing sensitive information through manipulated import operations. The integrity of database records can be compromised through unauthorized modifications, while availability may be affected through denial-of-service conditions or system instability caused by the exploitation. Organizations utilizing affected Oracle Database versions face significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized access to critical business information, and potential system-wide outages. The local nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not require network access or external exploitation methods, making the attack surface more accessible and potentially more dangerous in environments where local access is not strictly controlled.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patch application from Oracle, which addresses the underlying validation flaws in the Data Pump Import component. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and monitoring of database import operations, particularly focusing on who can execute these functions and when. The principle of least privilege should be enforced to minimize the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should monitor database audit logs for unusual import activities and implement network segmentation to limit local access to database servers. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in database configurations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where attackers leverage system vulnerabilities to gain elevated access rights, and T1486: Data Encrypted for Impact, as the compromise could lead to data manipulation or destruction affecting system availability. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous import patterns and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts.