CVE-2021-2175 in Oracle
Summary
by MITRE • 04/23/2021
Vulnerability in the Database Vault 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 Any View, Select Any View privilege with network access via Oracle Net to compromise Database Vault. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized read access to a subset of Database Vault accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 2.7 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-2175 resides within Oracle Database Server's Database Vault component, representing a significant security weakness that affects multiple version lines including 12.1.0.2, 12.2.0.1, 18c, and 19c. This flaw operates at the intersection of database security controls and network accessibility, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass established security measures. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that sophisticated attack techniques are not required, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where database security is paramount. The CVSS 3.1 scoring system assigns it a base score of 2.7, reflecting a low to medium severity impact primarily focused on confidentiality concerns. The attack vector requires network access via Oracle Net protocol, suggesting that the vulnerability could be exploited from external network positions, though it requires elevated privileges within the database environment itself.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the Database Vault framework, which is designed to provide dynamic data security and role-based access controls for database environments. Database Vault serves as a critical security layer that enforces policies governing database access and data protection, making its compromise particularly concerning. The attack requires an adversary to possess high privileged database permissions including Create Any View and Select Any View privileges, indicating that the vulnerability likely targets scenarios where privilege escalation has already occurred or where legitimate administrative access has been compromised. This prerequisite privilege requirement suggests that the vulnerability may be exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors rather than as a standalone exploit, potentially representing a privilege escalation or lateral movement opportunity within database environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it allows unauthorized read access to a subset of Database Vault accessible data, which could include sensitive security configurations, access control policies, or protected database information. The confidentiality impact rating of CVSS 3.1 indicates that while the scope of data accessible through this vulnerability may be limited, the potential for exposure of security-critical information remains significant. Organizations utilizing Database Vault for protecting sensitive data may find their security posture weakened, as attackers could potentially access information about database access controls, security policies, or other privileged data that could aid in further attacks. The vulnerability's impact on Database Vault's integrity and availability is minimal, as the CVSS vector shows no impact on integrity or availability components, suggesting that the attack primarily focuses on unauthorized data reading rather than system disruption or modification.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-2175 should prioritize immediate patch management and privilege review procedures. Oracle has released security patches addressing this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize applying these updates to affected database versions. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit Oracle Net access to trusted networks and authorized administrative systems. Regular privilege auditing should be conducted to ensure that Create Any View and Select Any View permissions are strictly controlled and limited to essential administrative personnel. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses inadequate access control mechanisms, and may be exploited through ATT&CK techniques such as privilege escalation and credential access. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring and alerting for unusual database access patterns, particularly those involving views and access control queries. The vulnerability's classification under the broader Database Vault security framework also suggests that organizations should review their overall database security architecture and consider additional security controls beyond the Database Vault component itself, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of layered security approaches in database environments.