CVE-2022-21393 in Oracle
Summary
by MITRE • 01/19/2022
Vulnerability in the Java VM component of Oracle Database Server. Supported versions that are affected are 12.1.0.2, 12.2.0.1, 19c and 21c. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker having Create Procedure privilege with network access via Oracle Net to compromise Java VM. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of Java VM. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 4.3 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21393 resides within the Java Virtual Machine component of Oracle Database Server, representing a significant security weakness that affects multiple supported versions including 12.1.0.2, 12.2.0.1, 19c, and 21c. This flaw operates at the intersection of database security and Java runtime execution, creating a potential attack surface that adversaries can leverage to compromise the underlying Java environment. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal privileges can potentially harness this weakness, making it particularly concerning for database environments where privilege escalation and lateral movement are critical attack vectors.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves an attacker with Create Procedure privilege who can establish network access through Oracle Net protocols to compromise the Java Virtual Machine. This attack pathway demonstrates how database-specific privileges can be leveraged to affect the Java execution environment, creating a bridge between database-level operations and JVM-level security boundaries. The vulnerability specifically targets the Java VM component's handling of network-based requests, suggesting potential issues with input validation or privilege enforcement within the Java execution context. This represents a classic case of privilege escalation through database procedures that can ultimately impact the underlying Java runtime environment.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of this vulnerability results in unauthorized partial denial of service conditions within the Java Virtual Machine, with a CVSS base score of 4.3 indicating moderate severity. The availability impact rating suggests that while complete system compromise may not be achievable, the vulnerability can disrupt Java VM operations and potentially affect database functionality that relies on Java-based components. This partial denial of service can manifest as degraded performance, application unavailability, or disruption of Java-based database features. The vulnerability's impact on Java VM availability directly affects database systems that depend on Java stored procedures, triggers, or other Java-based functionalities, potentially causing cascading failures throughout the database environment.
The attack vector analysis reveals that this vulnerability requires network access via Oracle Net protocols, indicating that attackers need to establish connectivity to the database server from external or internal network positions. The low privilege requirement of Create Procedure privilege means that even users with limited database permissions can potentially exploit this weakness, highlighting the importance of proper privilege management and network segmentation. The CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L) emphasizes the network accessibility, low attack complexity, and low privilege requirements while noting the absence of user interaction and the lack of confidentiality or integrity impact, focusing specifically on the availability compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Oracle Database versions to address the Java VM component weakness. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit Oracle Net access and restrict Create Procedure privileges to only essential database users. The principle of least privilege should be strictly enforced, ensuring that database users cannot create procedures without explicit authorization. Additionally, monitoring and logging of Java VM activities should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in database components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-254 and follows ATT&CK tactics related to privilege escalation and denial of service, emphasizing the need for comprehensive database security management practices.
This vulnerability demonstrates the complex security landscape of modern database systems where multiple components interact, creating potential attack surfaces that span from database administration to Java runtime execution. The interconnected nature of database features means that weaknesses in one area can impact the security posture of the entire system, making comprehensive vulnerability management essential for protecting enterprise database environments. Organizations must maintain vigilance in monitoring for similar vulnerabilities that could affect database components and ensure that security patches are applied promptly to prevent exploitation of such weaknesses.