CVE-2017-3615 in Berkeley DB
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Data Store component of Oracle Berkeley DB. The supported version that is affected is Prior to 6.2.32. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with logon to the infrastructure where Data Store executes to compromise Data Store. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Data Store. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 7.0 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3615 resides within Oracle Berkeley DB's Data Store component, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity and availability of database systems. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 6.2.32, making it particularly concerning for organizations that have not yet upgraded their database infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires specific conditions for successful exploitation, the potential impact remains severe enough to warrant immediate attention. The attack vector requires an attacker to already have logon access to the infrastructure where the Data Store component operates, suggesting that the vulnerability is more likely to be exploited in environments where proper access controls are not adequately enforced. The CVSS 3.0 base score of 7.0 reflects a high severity rating that encompasses significant impacts to confidentiality, integrity, and availability, indicating that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation or improper access control mechanisms within the Data Store component, which allows an authenticated attacker with access to the underlying infrastructure to potentially gain unauthorized control over the database system. The requirement for human interaction from someone other than the attacker suggests that the exploitation process may involve social engineering or targeted manipulation of legitimate users to facilitate the attack. This aspect of the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for unauthorized access. The prerequisite for the attacker to already have logon access to the infrastructure means that the vulnerability acts as a privilege escalation mechanism rather than a primary entry point, but it significantly amplifies the potential damage that can be achieved by an insider threat or compromised legitimate user account. The vulnerability's characteristics place it within CWE-284 which addresses improper access control issues, specifically targeting the authorization mechanisms that protect database resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3615 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete takeover of the Data Store component, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate or destroy critical database information. Organizations relying on Oracle Berkeley DB for their data storage requirements face significant risk of data breaches, system downtime, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The availability impact is particularly concerning as the vulnerability could enable attackers to render database services unavailable, causing business disruption and potential financial losses. The integrity impact suggests that attackers could modify database records or corrupt data structures, leading to inaccurate information and potential system instability. The confidentiality impact indicates that sensitive data stored within the database could be accessed by unauthorized parties, potentially exposing personal information, financial records, or proprietary business data. This vulnerability's potential for causing widespread damage makes it a prime target for threat actors seeking to exploit database systems for financial gain or competitive advantage.
Organizations must implement immediate remediation measures to address this vulnerability, beginning with upgrading to Oracle Berkeley DB version 6.2.32 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the underlying security flaw. Access control measures should be strengthened to ensure that only authorized personnel have logon access to database infrastructure, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify potential unauthorized access attempts. Network segmentation and monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly those involving database access patterns or privilege escalation activities. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced to minimize the potential impact of compromised accounts, and regular security training should be provided to personnel to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that could facilitate exploitation. Additionally, organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected systems and ensure that all database components are properly updated and maintained to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited. The remediation process should also include monitoring for indicators of compromise that might be associated with exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's characteristics suggest that detection and response capabilities should be enhanced to identify and mitigate potential attacks before they can cause significant damage.