CVE-2025-30701: Oracle RAS Security Privilege Escalation

CVE-2025-30701 Overview

CVE-2025-30701 is an Improper Default Permissions vulnerability (CWE-276) in the RAS Security component of Oracle Database Server. This vulnerability enables a low-privileged attacker with User Account privileges to compromise the RAS Security component through network access via Oracle Net. Successful exploitation requires human interaction from a person other than the attacker but can result in unauthorized creation, deletion, or modification access to critical data, as well as unauthorized read access to all RAS Security accessible data.

Critical Impact

Attackers with low privileges can gain unauthorized access to create, delete, or modify critical data and obtain complete read access to all RAS Security accessible data within affected Oracle Database Server installations.

Affected Products

• Oracle RAS Security versions 19.3 through 19.26
• Oracle RAS Security versions 21.3 through 21.17
• Oracle RAS Security versions 23.4 through 23.7

Discovery Timeline

• April 15, 2025 - CVE-2025-30701 published to NVD
• April 21, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-30701

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from improper default permissions (CWE-276) within the RAS Security component of Oracle Database Server. The flaw allows attackers who already possess low-level User Account privileges to escalate their access and compromise the security component. The attack is network-accessible via Oracle Net, Oracle's native network substrate that supports database communication protocols.

The vulnerability has significant confidentiality and integrity impacts, allowing attackers to both read sensitive data and manipulate critical information stored within the RAS Security component. While the attack requires some form of human interaction (such as a user clicking a link or performing an action), the exploitation complexity is considered low, making it relatively straightforward for attackers to leverage once the prerequisites are met.

Root Cause

The root cause is traced to Improper Default Permissions (CWE-276) in the RAS Security component. This occurs when resources are created with insecure default permission settings that grant excessive access to users who should not have such privileges. In the context of Oracle Database Server's RAS Security, this permission misconfiguration allows low-privileged user accounts to perform actions beyond their intended authorization scope.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network via Oracle Net, Oracle's network communication layer. An attacker requires:

1. A valid low-privileged User Account on the target Oracle Database Server
2. Network access to the database via Oracle Net protocol
3. Social engineering or another method to induce human interaction from a legitimate user

Once these conditions are met, the attacker can exploit the improper permissions to gain unauthorized access to critical data and perform unauthorized data modifications. The vulnerability does not impact system availability, focusing instead on confidentiality and integrity breaches.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30701

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected privilege escalation attempts from low-privileged database user accounts
• Anomalous data access patterns targeting RAS Security component tables or objects
• Unusual Oracle Net connection activity from unexpected sources or during off-hours
• Unauthorized modifications to critical data within RAS Security accessible resources

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Oracle Database audit logs for unusual access patterns from User Account privileged sessions
• Implement database activity monitoring (DAM) solutions to track RAS Security component interactions
• Enable fine-grained auditing on sensitive database objects managed by RAS Security
• Review Oracle Net listener logs for suspicious connection patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure Oracle Database unified auditing to capture all RAS Security related operations
• Deploy SentinelOne Singularity to monitor database server endpoints for suspicious activity patterns
• Establish baseline behavior profiles for normal RAS Security access and alert on deviations
• Implement network traffic analysis on Oracle Net communications for anomaly detection

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30701

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the Oracle Critical Patch Update (CPU) from April 2025 immediately
• Review and restrict User Account privileges to the minimum necessary for operations
• Audit existing user accounts with access to RAS Security components
• Implement network segmentation to limit Oracle Net access to authorized systems only

Patch Information

Oracle has addressed this vulnerability in the April 2025 Critical Patch Update. Administrators should apply the appropriate patches for their Oracle Database Server version:

• Oracle Database Server 19.x: Update to a version beyond 19.26
• Oracle Database Server 21.x: Update to a version beyond 21.17
• Oracle Database Server 23.x: Update to a version beyond 23.7

For complete patch details and download links, refer to the Oracle Critical Patch Update April 2025.

Workarounds

• Implement strict principle of least privilege for all database user accounts pending patch application
• Restrict Oracle Net access through firewall rules to limit network exposure
• Enable enhanced auditing on RAS Security component operations to detect exploitation attempts
• Consider temporarily disabling non-essential user accounts with RAS Security access until patches are applied

# Example: Restrict Oracle Net listener to specific IP addresses
# Edit listener.ora to limit connections
# LISTENER =
#   (DESCRIPTION_LIST =
#     (DESCRIPTION =
#       (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = trusted_host_ip)(PORT = 1521))
#     )
#   )
# After modification, restart the listener:
lsnrctl stop
lsnrctl start