CVE-2019-2940 in Database Server
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 and 18c. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker having Create Session privilege with logon to the infrastructure where Core RDBMS executes to compromise Core RDBMS. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Core RDBMS accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 2.3 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2940 resides within Oracle Database Server's Core RDBMS component, representing a significant security weakness that affects multiple supported versions including 12.1.0.2, 12.2.0.1, and 18c. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a weakness related to insufficient privileges and access control mechanisms, specifically categorized under CWE-284 which addresses improper access control. The flaw manifests as an easily exploitable security gap that requires only a high-privileged attacker possessing the Create Session privilege to successfully compromise the affected database system. This access level represents a critical threshold since it allows an authenticated user to establish a connection to the database infrastructure, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for environments where session management and privilege escalation controls are not properly enforced.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate authorization controls within the Core RDBMS execution environment. An attacker with the Create Session privilege can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to database operations that should be restricted to higher-privileged users. The vulnerability specifically enables unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations against certain Core RDBMS accessible data, effectively undermining the integrity of database transactions. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in the database server's access control mechanisms. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system rates this vulnerability with a base score of 2.3, reflecting the integrity impact severity while acknowledging the limited scope of potential damage compared to more critical vulnerabilities. The vector notation CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N indicates local attack vector, low attack complexity, high privilege requirement, no user interaction, and an unscoped impact, further emphasizing the need for proper privilege management and network segmentation.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2940 extends beyond simple data modification as it creates opportunities for data integrity compromise within database environments. Organizations running affected Oracle Database versions face potential unauthorized changes to critical business data, which could lead to financial losses, regulatory compliance violations, and operational disruptions. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable means that attackers with minimal effort can potentially access sensitive information and manipulate database records, particularly when the database server operates in environments where proper network isolation and privilege controls are not implemented. This weakness can be particularly dangerous in multi-tenant database environments or when database administrators fail to properly implement the principle of least privilege, allowing users with session creation capabilities to escalate their privileges through this vulnerability. The impact is further compounded by the fact that the vulnerability affects multiple versions of Oracle Database, requiring organizations to assess and patch all affected systems regardless of their specific version.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2940 should prioritize immediate implementation of Oracle's security patches and updates as provided in their quarterly database security alerts. Organizations must enforce strict privilege management protocols, ensuring that the Create Session privilege is granted only to users who absolutely require it for their operational functions. Network segmentation and access control lists should be implemented to limit direct access to database servers, particularly for users who do not require elevated privileges. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, including unauthorized data modification operations. The implementation of Oracle Database Vault or similar privilege management tools can provide additional protection layers against unauthorized access attempts. Regular security audits should verify that privilege assignments align with the principle of least privilege, and that users with Create Session privileges cannot perform unauthorized data operations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on suspicious database access patterns, providing visibility into potential exploitation attempts. These measures align with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically addressing the need for proper access control and privilege management to prevent unauthorized database modifications and maintain data integrity across enterprise environments.