CVE-2019-2518 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, 18c and 19c. 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 takeover of Java VM. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 7.5 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2518 resides within the Java Virtual Machine component of Oracle Database Server, representing a significant security weakness that affects multiple supported versions including 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.2, 12.2.0.1, 18c, and 19c. This flaw operates at the core of Oracle's database architecture where Java execution environments are utilized for various database operations, creating a potential attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain elevated privileges and compromise the integrity of the database system. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires specific conditions and circumstances to be successfully leveraged, the potential impact makes it particularly concerning for database administrators and security professionals.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and privilege escalation mechanisms within the Java VM execution environment of Oracle Database. Attackers with minimal privileges such as Create Session and Create Procedure can potentially leverage network access through multiple protocols to execute malicious code within the Java VM context. This weakness allows for a form of privilege escalation that bypasses normal database security controls, enabling attackers to gain deeper access to the underlying Java execution environment. The vulnerability's CVSS 3.0 score of 7.5 reflects the high severity impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability domains, indicating that successful exploitation could result in complete compromise of the Java VM component.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2518 extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as successful exploitation can lead to complete takeover of the Java VM environment, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This compromise represents a critical threat to database security since the Java VM often executes trusted code and handles sensitive data processing operations. The vulnerability's ability to affect multiple versions of Oracle Database creates widespread exposure across enterprise environments, particularly in organizations that maintain legacy database systems or have not yet upgraded to more recent releases. Security teams face the challenge of identifying and remediating this vulnerability across various database versions while maintaining business continuity.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Oracle database patches and updates as released by Oracle Corporation, which address the underlying Java VM privilege escalation mechanisms. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the attack surface, particularly restricting network access to database systems from trusted sources only. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-749 (Exposed Dangerous Method or Function) categories, while also mapping to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and code execution within database environments. Regular security assessments and monitoring of database access patterns should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, and security awareness training should be provided to database administrators regarding the importance of patch management and access control policies.