CVE-2017-3240 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. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker having Local Logon privilege with logon to the infrastructure where RDBMS Security executes to compromise RDBMS Security. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized read access to a subset of RDBMS Security accessible data. CVSS v3.0 Base Score 3.3 (Confidentiality impacts).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3240 resides within Oracle Database Server's RDBMS Security component, specifically affecting version 12.1.0.2. This security flaw represents a significant concern for database administrators and security professionals due to its accessibility and potential impact on data confidentiality. The vulnerability operates within the realm of database security controls, where proper access restrictions and authentication mechanisms should prevent unauthorized data access. The affected component specifically handles security-related functions within the Oracle Database environment, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or extract sensitive information. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how security controls within database systems can be circumvented by attackers who possess minimal privileges, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining robust access controls and privilege management.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls within the RDBMS Security component, allowing attackers with local logon privileges to compromise the security framework. The flaw essentially enables a low-privileged attacker who has already gained access to the database infrastructure to bypass additional security measures that should normally protect sensitive data. This represents a privilege escalation vulnerability where the attacker's initial access level is insufficient to directly access the protected data, but the vulnerability allows them to manipulate the security controls to gain unauthorized access. The vulnerability's exploitability score of 3.3 on the CVSS v3.0 scale indicates a moderate risk level, though the ease of exploitation suggests that organizations with less sophisticated security monitoring may be particularly vulnerable. The attack vector requires local logon access to the infrastructure where the database security components execute, which means that the attacker must first establish a foothold on the system before leveraging this specific vulnerability.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3240 extends beyond simple data theft, as it represents a fundamental breach in the security architecture of Oracle Database environments. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized read access to a subset of RDBMS Security accessible data, which could include sensitive information such as user credentials, database schemas, access control lists, or other security-related metadata. This type of vulnerability undermines the core principle of least privilege that database security architectures rely upon, as it allows attackers to bypass security controls that should normally prevent unauthorized access to security-critical information. The potential for data exposure increases significantly when considering that database security components often contain information that could be used to further compromise the system or access additional resources. Organizations utilizing Oracle Database 12.1.0.2 should be particularly concerned about this vulnerability, as it could provide attackers with information that facilitates more sophisticated attacks against the entire database infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3240 should focus on both immediate patching and enhanced monitoring of database security components. The most effective approach involves applying Oracle's security patches and updates that specifically address this vulnerability, which would close the access control gap that allows attackers to bypass security restrictions. Organizations should also implement enhanced monitoring of database security component access patterns, as unusual access to security-related data could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing stricter access controls and privilege management within the database environment can help limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, even if they are successfully exploited. The vulnerability's classification under CWE 284 (Improper Access Control) and its alignment with ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper access controls and monitoring for unauthorized access to security-critical database components. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific vulnerability to ensure that all systems remain protected against potential exploitation attempts.