CVE-2020-2515 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Database Gateway for ODBC 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 Session privilege with network access via OracleNet to compromise Database Gateway for ODBC. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Database Gateway for ODBC accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of Database Gateway for ODBC accessible data and unauthorized ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of Database Gateway for ODBC. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 5.0 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2515 resides within Oracle Database Server's Database Gateway for ODBC component, 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 network level through OracleNet protocol, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by adversaries possessing minimal privileges. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while the attack vector requires some technical skill and understanding of the target environment, the actual exploitation process remains feasible for determined threat actors. The security implications extend beyond simple data access, as this weakness can enable attackers to manipulate database content through unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations while simultaneously gaining read access to sensitive data subsets.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls within the Database Gateway for ODBC functionality, allowing attackers with only Create Session privileges to potentially compromise the system's integrity and availability. This represents a privilege escalation scenario where minimal authentication credentials can be leveraged to achieve more substantial unauthorized actions. The CVSS 3.0 score of 5.0 reflects the balanced impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability aspects, with the vector indicating network accessibility (AV:N), high attack complexity (AC:H), low privilege requirements (PR:L), and no user interaction needed (UI:N). The vulnerability's impact on data integrity manifests through unauthorized modifications to database records, while the availability impact can result in partial denial of service conditions that disrupt normal database gateway operations. This aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and demonstrates how inadequate privilege management can lead to unauthorized system manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-2515 extends beyond immediate data compromise to potentially disrupt business continuity and data integrity across affected Oracle environments. Organizations utilizing the affected database versions face risks of unauthorized data modification that could corrupt database records, leading to inaccurate reporting and potential financial losses. The partial denial of service capability introduces additional operational concerns where database gateway functionality may become partially unavailable, affecting legitimate user access and system performance. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through network-based attacks that leverage OracleNet protocols, making the attack surface particularly concerning for organizations with exposed database gateways. The security implications also align with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access, as the vulnerability allows attackers to expand their access beyond initial authentication boundaries. Organizations implementing the affected Oracle Database Server versions should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly when evaluating network segmentation and access control measures. The vulnerability's impact on both data confidentiality and integrity makes it particularly dangerous for environments handling sensitive information, while the availability concerns could affect mission-critical database operations and user productivity. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch application, network access restrictions, and enhanced monitoring of database gateway activities to detect potential exploitation attempts.