CVE-2017-10261 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the XML Database component of Oracle Database Server. Supported versions that are affected are 11.2.0.4 and 12.1.0.2. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker having Create Session privilege with logon to the infrastructure where XML Database executes to compromise XML Database. While the vulnerability is in XML Database, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all XML Database accessible data. Note: This score is for Windows platform version 11.2.0.4 of Database. For Windows platform version 12.1.0.2 and Linux, the score is 5.5 with scope Unchanged. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 6.5 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10261 resides within Oracle Database Server's XML Database component, representing a significant security weakness that affects specific version releases. This flaw manifests in Oracle Database versions 11.2.0.4 and 12.1.0.2, particularly on Windows platforms where the CVSS base score reaches 6.5 with a high confidentiality impact. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-284 indicates improper access control mechanisms within the XML Database functionality, making it a critical concern for database administrators and security professionals. The attack vector requires minimal privileges, specifically a low-privileged user with Create Session privilege, enabling exploitation through legitimate database logon access. This accessibility significantly broadens the potential threat surface, as attackers can leverage existing database connections to compromise XML Database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and access control mechanisms within the XML Database processing functions. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within XML Database components, potentially accessing all data accessible through the XML Database interface. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond the immediate XML Database scope, as successful exploitation can compromise additional Oracle products that rely on or interact with XML Database functionality. This cascading effect aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol and represents a privilege escalation vector that can lead to complete data compromise. The CVSS score of 6.5 reflects the vulnerability's ease of exploitation, requiring only local access with minimal privilege levels, while the scope change indicator suggests potential impact on adjacent systems within the database ecosystem.
The operational implications of CVE-2017-10261 are severe for organizations utilizing affected Oracle Database versions, as it enables attackers to extract critical data without detection. The vulnerability's low attack complexity and requirement for minimal privileges make it particularly dangerous in environments where database access is more widely distributed. Organizations may experience unauthorized data access, data exfiltration, and potential system compromise that could affect business continuity and regulatory compliance. The vulnerability's presence in both 11.2.0.4 and 12.1.0.2 versions creates widespread exposure across different database deployments, complicating remediation efforts. Security teams must consider the vulnerability's impact on database audit trails, as the exploitation could potentially bypass existing monitoring controls. The 5.5 CVSS score for Linux platforms and 12.1.0.2 Windows version indicates that while the base risk may be lower, the vulnerability remains exploitable across multiple environments. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch deployment, enhanced access controls, and comprehensive monitoring of XML Database activities. Database administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to XML Database components and conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify potential exploitation vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against privilege escalation attacks targeting database components.