CVE-2020-14736 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2020
Vulnerability in the Database Vault component of Oracle Database Server. Supported versions that are affected are 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.2 and 12.2.0.1. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker having Create Public Synonym privilege with network access via Oracle Net to compromise Database Vault. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Database Vault accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of Database Vault accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 3.8 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14736 resides within Oracle Database Server's Database Vault component, representing a significant security weakness that affects specific version releases including 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.2, and 12.2.0.1. This flaw operates under the purview of CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and falls into the category of privilege escalation vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an attacker to possess the specific Create Public Synonym privilege, indicating that it targets scenarios where internal users with elevated privileges might be compromised or where privilege creep has occurred within database environments. The attack vector leverages Oracle Net network protocols, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database communication occurs over network connections.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of database vault access controls when processing public synonym creation requests. When an attacker with appropriate privileges executes malicious operations through Oracle Net, the system fails to properly verify that the requested actions align with the established database vault policies. This weakness creates a pathway for unauthorized data manipulation and access that bypasses normal security controls. The vulnerability's CVSS 3.1 score of 3.8 reflects the moderate severity level, with confidentiality and integrity impacts rated as low, though the potential for unauthorized updates, inserts, deletes, and read access to database vault accessible data represents a meaningful threat to database security. The attack requires network access and high privilege levels, placing it in the category of easily exploitable vulnerabilities that can be leveraged by attackers with sufficient access rights.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-14736 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it allows attackers to modify or delete critical database vault configurations and access sensitive data that should remain protected. Database Vault serves as a critical security layer within Oracle databases, providing fine-grained access control and data protection mechanisms that are specifically designed to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. When this protection is bypassed, attackers can potentially access database vault accessible data that includes audit information, security policies, and sensitive business data. The vulnerability affects the integrity of database vault policies and can result in unauthorized modifications to security configurations that may go undetected for extended periods. This represents a significant concern for organizations that rely on Database Vault for regulatory compliance and data protection requirements.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies that include applying the relevant Oracle patches and security updates as soon as they become available, which would address the underlying access control validation issues. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict Oracle Net access to only trusted network segments and specific administrative workstations. Monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect unusual public synonym creation activities and unauthorized access attempts to database vault components. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1078, which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, indicates that organizations should focus their detection efforts on monitoring for unauthorized privilege usage patterns. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive access control reviews to ensure that users with Create Public Synonym privileges are properly authorized and that privilege assignments align with least-privilege principles. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability.