CVE-2020-14901 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2020
Vulnerability in the RDBMS Security component of Oracle Database Server. The supported version that is affected is 19c. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker having Analyze Any privilege with network access via Oracle Net to compromise RDBMS Security. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all RDBMS Security accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 4.9 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14901 resides within Oracle Database Server's RDBMS Security component and specifically affects version 19c. This represents a significant security weakness that exploits the inherent trust relationships within database systems, where an attacker with elevated privileges can leverage network-based access to compromise sensitive security mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that the attack vector requires minimal sophistication while still delivering substantial impact, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where database security is paramount.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of privilege escalation within Oracle's network protocol implementation, specifically when the Analyze Any privilege is present in the attacker's profile. This privilege level allows users to analyze any database object, but when combined with network access through Oracle Net protocol, it creates a pathway for unauthorized data access. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of network communication and database security controls, where the system fails to properly validate the security context of requests originating from network connections. This flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal access controls that should prevent unauthorized access to critical database security information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of all RDBMS Security accessible data. This includes sensitive information such as database user credentials, access control policies, encryption keys, and other security-related metadata that forms the foundation of database security. The CVSS 3.1 score of 4.9 reflects the high confidentiality impact that this vulnerability can achieve, as the potential for accessing critical data far outweighs any integrity or availability concerns in this specific case. The vulnerability's medium attack complexity and high privilege requirement suggest that it targets insiders or attackers who have already gained some level of access to the database environment.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate privilege restriction and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of this vulnerability. Organizations should implement the principle of least privilege, ensuring that the Analyze Any privilege is only granted to users who absolutely require it for their operational duties. Network-level controls including firewall rules and Oracle Net configuration should be reviewed to minimize unnecessary exposure to the database server. Additionally, regular security assessments should include validation of privilege assignments and network access controls to prevent unauthorized users from accumulating the necessary privileges to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and may be mapped to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security monitoring and access control validation.