CVE-2018-2913 in GoldenGate
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle GoldenGate component of Oracle GoldenGate (subcomponent: Monitoring Manager). Supported versions that are affected are 12.1.2.1.0, 12.2.0.2.0 and 12.3.0.1.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via TCP to compromise Oracle GoldenGate. While the vulnerability is in Oracle GoldenGate, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Oracle GoldenGate. Note: For Linux and Windows platforms, the CVSS score is 9.0 with Access Complexity as High. For all other platforms, the cvss score is 10.0. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 10.0 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2913 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle GoldenGate's Monitoring Manager component, specifically affecting versions 12.1.2.1.0, 12.2.0.2.0, and 12.3.0.1.0. This weakness resides in the Oracle GoldenGate suite, which serves as a comprehensive data integration and replication platform widely deployed across enterprise environments for maintaining data consistency across disparate systems. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that malicious actors can leverage network-based attacks without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network exposure is inevitable. The attack vector operates through TCP connections, suggesting that any system with exposed GoldenGate services could become a target, regardless of network segmentation or traditional perimeter defenses.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the Monitoring Manager component, which allows unauthorized access to critical administrative functions. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited by attackers who gain network access to the targeted Oracle GoldenGate instance. The CVSS score of 10.0 reflects the severity of potential impact, indicating that successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of the GoldenGate system. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability simultaneously, as attackers can potentially exfiltrate sensitive data, modify system configurations, or disrupt operations entirely. The distinction in CVSS scoring between platforms - with Linux and Windows receiving 9.0 compared to 10.0 for other platforms - suggests variations in attack surface or implementation differences that may affect exploitability or impact scope.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond the immediate GoldenGate environment, as noted in the description indicating potential impacts on additional products. This cascading effect aligns with the ATT&CK framework's concept of lateral movement and privilege escalation, where initial compromise of one system can lead to broader network infiltration. Organizations utilizing Oracle GoldenGate typically integrate it with various enterprise systems, databases, and applications, meaning that compromise of the Monitoring Manager could provide attackers with access to critical data flows and replication processes. The vulnerability's potential to result in complete takeover of Oracle GoldenGate aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a significant threat to data integrity and business continuity. The high access complexity rating of 9.0 for certain platforms indicates that while the attack may require some network reconnaissance, the actual exploitation process remains straightforward for skilled adversaries.
Organizations must implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to GoldenGate services, deployment of firewall rules to limit TCP port exposure, and application of Oracle's security patches as released. The vulnerability's severity necessitates urgent remediation efforts, as it provides attackers with a path to achieve system compromise without authentication. Additional defensive measures should include monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns, implementing intrusion detection systems focused on GoldenGate services, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of all Oracle GoldenGate installations. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing principle of least privilege access controls for enterprise data integration platforms.