CVE-2018-3004 in Oracle
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java VM component of Oracle Database Server. Supported versions that are affected are 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.2,12.2.0.1 and 18.2. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows low privileged attacker having Create Session, Create Procedure privilege with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Java VM. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Java VM accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 5.3 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3004 resides within the Java Virtual Machine component of Oracle Database Server, representing a significant security weakness that affects multiple versions including 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.2, 12.2.0.1, and 18.2. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-250, which specifically addresses "Execute Code or Commands" and represents a critical flaw in the database's security architecture. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while the attack vector is complex, successful exploitation can yield severe consequences for database security.
The technical flaw manifests through the Java VM's insufficient access controls and privilege validation mechanisms, allowing attackers with minimal database privileges to escalate their access. Specifically, an attacker requiring only Create Session and Create Procedure privileges can leverage this vulnerability to compromise the Java VM environment. The attack requires network access through multiple protocols, making it particularly concerning as it can be executed from various network entry points. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of database security and application security, where the Java VM serves as a bridge between database operations and application execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to critical database data or complete access to all data accessible through the Java VM. The CVSS 3.0 base score of 5.3 reflects the moderate severity but high risk potential of this flaw, particularly given the confidentiality impact rating of high. Attackers can potentially extract sensitive information, manipulate database contents, or establish persistent access to the database environment. The vulnerability's ability to bypass normal privilege checks and access Java VM resources represents a fundamental breakdown in the database's security model, where the Java execution environment becomes a potential attack surface for unauthorized access.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches and updates as released, implementing network segmentation to limit access to database systems, and enforcing strict privilege controls to minimize the attack surface. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials and privileges, as attackers can exploit existing database permissions to escalate their access. Additionally, monitoring for unusual database activity and implementing database security auditing can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary Java VM features when not required for business operations, as this reduces the potential attack surface and aligns with the principle of least privilege. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and demonstrates how seemingly minor privilege escalation flaws can result in significant data compromise.