CVE-2017-10292 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the RDBMS Security component of Oracle Database Server. Supported versions that are affected are 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.2 and 12.2.0.1. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker having Create User 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 2.3 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10292 resides within the RDBMS Security component of Oracle Database Server, representing a significant security weakness that affects multiple version lines including 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.2, and 12.2.0.1. This vulnerability operates within the database security framework where privileged attackers can exploit a weakness in the access control mechanisms that govern database operations. The flaw specifically targets the integrity aspects of the security subsystem, allowing unauthorized modifications to sensitive data through the database's security infrastructure. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system assigns this vulnerability a base score of 2.3, indicating a low to medium severity impact with particular emphasis on integrity compromise rather than confidentiality or availability. The attack vector assessment (AV:L) suggests local access is required, while the low access complexity (AC:L) indicates that exploitation does not require specialized circumstances or advanced technical knowledge. The high privilege requirement (PR:H) means that attackers must already possess the Create User privilege along with valid login credentials to the target infrastructure where the RDBMS Security component operates.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper access control validation within the database security subsystem, creating a path for privilege escalation and unauthorized data modification. When an attacker with sufficient privileges successfully exploits this weakness, they can manipulate the RDBMS Security component to perform unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations on data that should otherwise be protected by security controls. This represents a critical flaw in the principle of least privilege enforcement, where the database fails to properly validate that operations performed through the security component are authorized. The vulnerability operates at a level where it can bypass normal security checks that should prevent modifications to security-related data structures, essentially allowing attackers to compromise the integrity of the database's security mechanisms themselves. The attack requires the target infrastructure to be accessible to the attacker, which aligns with the local access vector classification and suggests that network-based exploitation is not possible without first establishing local access to the database server environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification, as it fundamentally undermines the trustworthiness of the database security infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this weakness can potentially corrupt security-related metadata, modify access control lists, or manipulate authentication mechanisms that protect the database environment. This compromise affects the integrity of the security subsystem itself, which can lead to cascading security failures where other protections become ineffective or can be bypassed. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that the attack surface is relatively accessible to skilled adversaries who understand database security mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database administrators maintain elevated privileges. Organizations running affected Oracle Database versions face the risk of data integrity compromise, which could lead to unauthorized changes in database configurations, security policies, or access controls that may go undetected for extended periods.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying Oracle's security patches and updates released to address this vulnerability, which aligns with the principle of least privilege enforcement and regular security maintenance. The recommended approach involves upgrading to patched versions of Oracle Database Server where the vulnerability has been resolved, as this represents the most effective long-term solution. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their database environments to identify and remediate any unauthorized access paths that could be exploited to reach the vulnerable RDBMS Security component. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on modifications to security-related tables or user account changes that occur outside of normal administrative procedures. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly relevant to the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics, where attackers might use such weaknesses to maintain persistent access and avoid detection. Compliance with industry standards such as those defined in the CWE catalog, specifically focusing on access control and privilege management weaknesses, becomes essential in preventing exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the database security infrastructure.