Hackers run khunt post-exploitation toolkit from Oracle database

Attackers exploited a SQL injection vulnerability in a public-facing Java application to gain access to an Oracle database and deployed a post-exploitation toolkit named 'khunt' directly within the database as a Java object. The toolkit, composed of multiple Java and PL/SQL components, enabled command execution, credential theft, file manipulation, and reconnaissance on the compromised Windows server. The attackers leveraged Oracle's embedded JVM to execute system commands with SYSTEM-level privileges, including dumping registry hives (SAM, SECURITY, SYSTEM) for credential extraction. The malicious activity originated from IP address 178.162.151[.]229, and the technique of hosting malware inside Oracle databases as Java objects is rarely observed in the wild.

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