CVE-2023-22071 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-22071 was published on October 17, 2023, by Oracle. It is a vulnerability found in the PL/SQL component of Oracle Database Server.

Understanding CVE-2023-22071

This vulnerability allows a high-privileged attacker, with specific privileges, to compromise PL/SQL by exploiting Oracle Net. Successful attacks require human interaction and may impact additional products. Unauthorized access and partial denial of service are possible consequences.

What is CVE-2023-22071?

The vulnerability lies in the PL/SQL component of Oracle Database Server, affecting versions 19.3-19.20 and 21.3-21.11. A high-privileged attacker can exploit this vulnerability via Oracle Net, leading to unauthorized access to PL/SQL data and potential denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2023-22071

Successful exploitation of CVE-2023-22071 can result in unauthorized update, insert, or delete access to some PL/SQL data, unauthorized read access to a subset of PL/SQL data, and the ability to cause a partial denial of service. The CVSS 3.1 Base Score is 5.9, indicating medium severity with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-22071

This section provides more detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a high-privileged attacker with specific privileges to compromise PL/SQL via Oracle Net, leading to unauthorized data access and potential denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Oracle Corporation's PL/SQL versions 19.3-19.20 and 21.3-21.11.

Exploitation Mechanism

Successful attacks require human interaction and specific privileges to exploit the vulnerability via Oracle Net, potentially impacting additional products.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-22071, immediate steps should be taken to secure systems and prevent unauthorized access.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should promptly apply security patches provided by Oracle to mitigate the vulnerability.
Ensure that only authorized personnel with the necessary privileges can access PL/SQL components.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update security protocols and access control mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.
Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates released by Oracle to address vulnerabilities promptly.
Implement a robust patch management strategy to apply patches and updates in a timely manner to enhance system security.