Critical vulnerability in Oracle Database, patch without delay!

Oracle is urging users to patch their Oracle Database installations to plug a critical security issue that can result in complete compromise of the Oracle Database and shell access to the underlying server.

About the vulnerability (CVE-2018-3110)

The vulnerability (CVE-2018-3110) affects Oracle Database versions 11.2.0.4 and 12.2.0.1 on Windows and is apparently easy to exploit, but can only be exploited remotely by an authenticated attacker.

The vulnerability is in the Java Virtual Machine component of Oracle Database Server. It requires no user interaction and allows attackers that have Create Session privilege with network access via Oracle Net to compromise the component.

“CVE-2018-3110 also affects Oracle Database version 12.1.0.2 on Windows as well as Oracle Database on Linux and Unix, however patches for those versions and platforms were included in the July 2018 CPU,” Oracle shared.

“Customers running Oracle Database versions 11.2.0.4 and 12.2.0.1 on Windows should apply the patches provided by the Security Alert. Customers running version 12.1.0.2 on Windows or any version of the database on Linux or Unix should apply the July 2018 Critical Patch Update if they have not already done so.”

The fix, offered late last Friday, is not applicable to client-only installations, i.e., installations that do not have the Oracle Database Server installed.

“Due to the nature of this vulnerability, Oracle strongly recommends that customers take action without delay,” the company said, but did not mention whether it is being exploited in the wild or how the flaw was discovered.