CVE-2020-2527 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, 18c and 19c. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker having Create Index, Create Table privilege with network access via OracleNet to compromise Core RDBMS. While the vulnerability is in Core RDBMS, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized read access to a subset of Core RDBMS accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 4.1 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2020-2527 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, 18c, and 19c. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it allows unauthorized data access through legitimate database operations. The flaw manifests when an attacker with relatively low privileges including Create Index and Create Table capabilities can leverage network access via OracleNet protocols to execute malicious actions against the database system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess specific database privileges that are often granted to legitimate users within enterprise environments, making the threat more realistic than many theoretical vulnerabilities. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system assigns a base score of 4.1 with a vector of AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N, indicating that while the attack requires network access and high privileges, the exploitation path is relatively straightforward. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable means that attackers with minimal technical sophistication can potentially compromise database integrity, particularly targeting the confidentiality aspects of the system. The impact extends beyond the immediate Core RDBMS component as the attack may affect additional Oracle products within the ecosystem, creating cascading security implications throughout the database infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-2527 is substantial as successful exploitation enables unauthorized read access to sensitive data subsets within the Core RDBMS, potentially exposing confidential business information, customer data, or proprietary system details. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege by allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls through legitimate database operations, creating a situation where authorized database users can be leveraged for malicious purposes. The security implications extend to compliance requirements as organizations may face regulatory violations when sensitive data is accessed without proper authorization, particularly in industries governed by standards such as pci dss, hipaa, or gdpr. Organizations utilizing affected Oracle Database versions must consider the broader attack surface implications as this vulnerability could serve as a stepping stone for more extensive database compromises.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-2527 should focus on implementing strict privilege controls and network segmentation to limit access to database systems. Database administrators should conduct comprehensive privilege audits to identify and revoke unnecessary Create Index and Create Table permissions for users who do not require such capabilities for their operational duties. Network-level protections including firewall rules and OracleNet access controls should be implemented to restrict unauthorized connections to database servers. The implementation of Oracle's recommended security patches and updates should be prioritized as the primary defense mechanism against this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should enhance their monitoring capabilities to detect anomalous database access patterns and privilege usage that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on the specific privilege combinations that enable this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework classification for this vulnerability would align with techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, making it important for security teams to incorporate these threat patterns into their defensive strategies and incident response procedures.