CVE-2023-21918 : Security Advisory and Response

This is a detailed overview of CVE-2023-21918 providing information on the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2023-21918

CVE-2023-21918 is a vulnerability found in the Oracle Database Recovery Manager component of Oracle Database Server. This vulnerability affects versions 19c and 21c of the Oracle Database Enterprise Edition. It allows a high-privileged attacker with Local SYSDBA privilege and network access via Oracle Net to compromise the Oracle Database Recovery Manager.

What is CVE-2023-21918?

The vulnerability in CVE-2023-21918 enables an attacker to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete denial of service) of the Oracle Database Recovery Manager. If successfully exploited, it can lead to unauthorized actions impacting the availability of the Recovery Manager.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21918

The impact of CVE-2023-21918 is classified as having a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 6.8, with a focus on availability impacts. This vulnerability can potentially allow unauthorized users to disrupt the Oracle Database Recovery Manager, leading to service downtime and instability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21918

The vulnerability is characterized by its exploitability by a high-privileged attacker with specific access, impacting the Oracle Database Recovery Manager. The attack vector is network-level, with low complexity in terms of execution.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers with Local SYSDBA privilege and network access to compromise the Oracle Database Recovery Manager, potentially leading to a denial of service or service interruption.

Affected Systems and Versions

Oracle Database Enterprise Edition versions 19c and 21c are confirmed to be affected by CVE-2023-21918.

Exploitation Mechanism

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can result in the attacker being able to disrupt the Oracle Database Recovery Manager, causing it to hang or crash repeatedly.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-21918, immediate steps should be taken to mitigate the risk and prevent potential exploitation of the vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations using affected versions of the Oracle Database Enterprise Edition should apply patches or updates provided by Oracle to address CVE-2023-21918. Additionally, restricting access and closely monitoring network traffic can help prevent unauthorized exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strict access controls, regular security assessments, and staying updated with security advisories from Oracle are essential for maintaining a secure environment and preventing similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Oracle has released security patches and updates to address CVE-2023-21918. It is crucial for organizations to apply these patches promptly to protect their systems from potential exploitation and ensure the security of the Oracle Database Recovery Manager.