CVE-2019-2776 in Oracle
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Core RDBMS component of Oracle Database Server. Supported versions that are affected are 12.1.0.2, 12.2.0.1, 18c and 19c. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker having Create Any Index privilege with network access via OracleNet to compromise Core RDBMS. While the vulnerability is in Core RDBMS, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Core RDBMS accessible data as well as unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Core RDBMS accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 7.6 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2776 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Database Server's Core RDBMS component, affecting multiple version lines including 12.1.0.2, 12.2.0.1, 18c, and 19c. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification CWE-284, which deals with improper access control mechanisms, specifically manifesting as inadequate privilege validation during database operations. The flaw exists within the Oracle Net protocol handling mechanism, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages network-based attack vectors to exploit database systems.
Attackers exploiting this vulnerability require only high privileged access with Create Any Index privilege, demonstrating how internal privilege escalation can lead to catastrophic external exploitation. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation stems from the fact that it can be triggered through OracleNet network connections, allowing attackers to leverage existing database administrative access to execute malicious code. The CVSS 3.0 scoring of 7.6 reflects the high severity impact with a base score indicating significant confidentiality and integrity breaches, where the attack vector is network-based but requires privileged access, making it moderately difficult to exploit yet highly impactful.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond the immediate database layer, potentially compromising additional Oracle products that depend on the Core RDBMS functionality. Successful exploitation enables unauthorized access to critical database information and provides attackers with complete read access to all data accessible through the database system. Additionally, attackers can gain unauthorized update, insert, or delete privileges to specific database objects, creating a comprehensive data manipulation capability that can result in data corruption, loss, or unauthorized modification of business-critical information.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Oracle Critical Patch Update (CPU) patches that address this vulnerability directly. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the attack surface, particularly restricting OracleNet access to trusted administrative networks. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts with elevated privileges emphasizes the importance of principle of least privilege enforcement and regular privilege auditing. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive backup strategies to ensure data recovery capabilities in case of successful compromise.