CVE-2017-10120 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the RDBMS Security component of Oracle Database Server. The supported version that is affected is 12.1.0.2. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows high privileged attacker having Create Session, Select Any Dictionary privilege with logon to the infrastructure where RDBMS Security executes to compromise RDBMS Security. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of RDBMS Security accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 1.9 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10120 resides within the RDBMS Security component of Oracle Database Server version 12.1.0.2, representing a significant security weakness that requires careful analysis of its operational context and potential impact. This vulnerability operates within the database security framework where privileged attackers with specific access rights can exploit the flaw to compromise the security mechanisms of the database server. The attack requires a high privilege level with Create Session and Select Any Dictionary privileges, indicating that the vulnerability targets the database's internal security controls rather than external interfaces. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system categorizes this as a low severity vulnerability with a base score of 1.9, reflecting the limited scope of potential damage compared to more critical vulnerabilities. The attack vector is classified as local access with high complexity and high privilege requirements, suggesting that the vulnerability is not easily exploitable by casual attackers but poses a genuine threat to internal security breaches.
The technical flaw within Oracle Database Server 12.1.0.2 stems from insufficient access controls and privilege validation mechanisms within the RDBMS Security component. This weakness allows authenticated users with specific privileges to bypass normal security restrictions and gain unauthorized access to modify database security settings or data. The vulnerability specifically affects the integrity of the database security infrastructure, enabling attackers to perform unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations on certain database security accessible data. The requirement for Create Session and Select Any Dictionary privileges indicates that the attack must originate from within the database infrastructure itself, suggesting that the vulnerability exists in the server's internal processing mechanisms rather than in network protocols or external interfaces. This internal exploitation model aligns with the local attack vector classification and reflects the complexity of database security architectures where internal components must maintain strict access controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-10120 extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to potentially compromise the entire database security framework. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify database security configurations, alter access controls, or manipulate security-related data that governs database access permissions. The vulnerability's classification as an integrity impact issue means that while the attacker cannot directly cause system crashes or complete data loss, they can corrupt the security mechanisms that protect the database environment. This type of vulnerability represents a significant concern for database administrators who rely on the integrity of their security controls to protect sensitive information. The limited scope of potential data access through this vulnerability suggests that the impact is contained to specific database security components rather than affecting all database content, but the compromise of security controls could enable further exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the database environment.
Organizations affected by CVE-2017-10120 should implement immediate mitigation strategies focusing on privilege management and access control monitoring. The vulnerability's requirement for specific privileges means that organizations should review and restrict access to Create Session and Select Any Dictionary privileges to only essential database administrators and security personnel. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual database activities that might indicate privilege abuse or unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability's low severity score does not diminish its importance, as database security controls are fundamental to protecting sensitive information and maintaining regulatory compliance. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to database servers and ensure that database security components are properly isolated from general user access. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a specific instance where insufficient privilege validation leads to security control bypass. The attack pattern described in the vulnerability follows ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access, where attackers leverage existing database access to compromise security mechanisms rather than attempting direct system exploitation. Regular security audits should verify that database privilege assignments remain appropriate and that no unnecessary access rights have been granted to users or applications, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of least privilege principles in database security management.