CVE-2020-14743 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2020
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 Procedure privilege with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Java VM. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Java VM accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 3.1 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14743 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 intersection of database security and Java runtime execution, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to compromise the integrity of database operations. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires specific conditions and privileges to be successfully leveraged, the potential impact on database integrity makes it a serious concern for organizations maintaining Oracle database environments. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 3.1 with a vector of AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N demonstrates that this vulnerability requires network access, has high attack complexity, needs low privilege levels, does not require user interaction, affects an unmodified system state, and primarily impacts integrity rather than confidentiality or availability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability hinges on an attacker possessing the Create Procedure privilege, which represents a relatively low-level database permission that many legitimate users might reasonably hold within enterprise environments. This privilege allows individuals to create stored procedures within the database, and when combined with network access, creates a potential attack vector through multiple protocols that can be leveraged against the Java VM component. The Java VM in Oracle Database Server provides a runtime environment for executing Java-based applications and stored procedures, making it a critical component for database functionality. When compromised, this component can be manipulated to execute unauthorized code that may modify database contents through update, insert, or delete operations. The vulnerability's impact is specifically targeted at data integrity, meaning that successful exploitation could result in unauthorized modifications to Java VM accessible data without necessarily gaining access to other database components or user data.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-14743 extends beyond simple data corruption, as it represents a potential pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to database resources that they should not legitimately possess. Organizations running affected Oracle Database versions face significant risk when users with minimal privileges can potentially compromise the Java VM execution environment, which may contain sensitive business logic or data processing routines. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-264 indicates it relates to permissions and access control issues, specifically involving the Java Virtual Machine component's security boundaries. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain access to systems, and T1070 which covers indicator removal through modification of system processes. The low privilege requirement makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations where privilege escalation is not properly enforced, as it could allow for the gradual accumulation of unauthorized access rights.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-14743 should focus on implementing strict privilege controls and monitoring for unauthorized procedure creation activities within Oracle Database environments. Organizations should ensure that users with Create Procedure privileges are properly vetted and that least privilege principles are enforced across database access controls. Database administrators should monitor for suspicious procedure creation patterns and implement network segmentation to limit access to database servers. Oracle recommends applying the relevant security patches and updates to address this vulnerability, as well as implementing additional monitoring controls to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's impact on integrity makes it crucial for organizations to maintain robust audit trails and database monitoring systems that can detect unauthorized modifications to Java VM accessible data. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with privilege escalation attempts and unauthorized data modifications. The combination of proper privilege management, network controls, and monitoring systems provides the most effective defense against exploitation of this vulnerability while maintaining operational functionality within database environments.