Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a low-scored Oracle Database Vault issue affecting specific Oracle Database Enterprise Edition releases. It matters when an already highly privileged user can reach the database over Oracle Net and has Create Public Synonym rights. Successful abuse could read or alter some Database Vault data, but sources do not show active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a controlled remediation item, not an emergency. Prioritize databases protecting regulated or sensitive data, especially where privileged access is broad or network access is not tightly segmented.
Technical view
CVE-2020-14736 affects Oracle Database Vault in Database Enterprise Edition 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.2, and 12.2.0.1. The vector is network-accessible via Oracle Net, low complexity, no user interaction, but requires high privileges including Create Public Synonym. Impact is limited confidentiality and integrity loss, with no availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in environments running the named Oracle Database Enterprise Edition versions with Database Vault accessible over Oracle Net. Risk concentrates around privileged database accounts granted Create Public Synonym.
Exploitation context
The source bundle marks KEV false, and no cited source states active exploitation. The prerequisite high privilege narrows practical abuse, but compromise or misuse of administrative database accounts could still affect sensitive Database Vault data.
Researcher notes
The public record provides CVSS and prerequisites but no CWE, exploit details, or confirmed exploitation. Validation should focus on affected versions, Database Vault use, Oracle Net exposure, and privilege assignments rather than speculative exploitability.
Mitigation direction
- Review Oracle October 2020 Critical Patch Update and apply applicable Oracle Database fixes.
- Restrict Create Public Synonym privilege to tightly controlled administrative accounts.
- Limit Oracle Net access to trusted application and administration networks.
- Monitor Database Vault and public synonym activity for unauthorized changes.
- If affected releases are unsupported, plan upgrade using Oracle guidance.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Oracle Database Enterprise Edition versions 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.2, and 12.2.0.1.
- Confirm whether Database Vault is enabled or deployed on those instances.
- Enumerate accounts with Create Public Synonym privilege.
- Verify Oracle October 2020 CPU or later relevant patches are applied.
- Review audit logs for unexpected Database Vault data changes.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Database behavior lookup
The CVE wording references database injection or access, so collection and exfiltration review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-14736 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Low
- CVSS
- 3.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N1.22.5Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
3.8LowVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2020.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.