Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2020-2737 is an Oracle Database Core RDBMS vulnerability that could let a highly privileged attacker take over the database engine. It is not a simple drive-by issue: Oracle describes exploitation as difficult, requiring Oracle Net access, specific privileges, and another user’s interaction.
Executive priority
Treat this as a planned but important database remediation item. It is not flagged as actively exploited, but a successful attack could compromise a core Oracle database, making patch verification and privilege review appropriate for critical systems.
Technical view
Affected Oracle Database versions are 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.2, 12.2.0.1, 18c, and 19c. The CVSS 3.0 score is 6.4 with network attack vector, high complexity, high privileges, required user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Likely exposure is Oracle Database deployments on listed versions where privileged users can connect through Oracle Net. Risk is higher for business-critical databases, broadly reachable listeners, and environments with over-granted Create Session or Execute Catalog Role privileges.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show active exploitation, and the CVE is not marked KEV. Exploitation requires high privileges and human interaction, but successful exploitation can result in Core RDBMS takeover, so impact remains significant.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to Oracle and CVE records. The sources do not provide exploit details, affected configurations beyond versions, or compensating controls beyond consulting Oracle guidance. Validation should focus on version, patch level, Oracle Net reachability, and privilege assignment.
Mitigation direction
- Review Oracle April 2020 Critical Patch Update guidance for CVE-2020-2737.
- Patch affected Oracle Database versions according to Oracle’s supported guidance.
- Restrict Oracle Net access to trusted networks and administrators.
- Review accounts with Create Session and Execute Catalog Role privileges.
- Prioritize business-critical databases that remain on affected versions.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Oracle Database versions across production and non-production environments.
- Check for affected versions: 11.2.0.4, 12.1.0.2, 12.2.0.1, 18c, and 19c.
- Confirm Oracle April 2020 CPU or later applicable fixes are installed.
- Identify accounts holding Create Session and Execute Catalog Role privileges.
- Review Oracle Net listener exposure and network access controls.
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-2020-2737 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
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.4 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H0.55.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
6.4MediumVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2020.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.