Configure Oracle Database Vault: Creating a New User in a Secured Environment

 

Configure Oracle Database Vault: Creating a New User in a Secured Environment

Oracle Database Vault is a powerful security component that enforces separation of duties and limits access to sensitive data, even from DBAs. When Database Vault is enabled, traditional user creation and privilege management are restricted and must be done by authorized DV accounts.

This blog walks through the steps to create a new user (SCOTT) in a PDB (pdb1) within a Database Vault-enabled environment.

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 Scenario

You are working in a multitenant environment with Database Vault enabled. You attempt to create a user in pdb1, but face privilege errors. Let's walk through the proper method to do this securely and successfully.

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 Step 1: Switch to Target PDB

First, ensure your session is connected to the appropriate Pluggable Database:

sql
ALTER SESSION SET CONTAINER = pdb1;

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 Step 2: Attempt to Create a User (Fails with ORA-01031)

Now, try to create a new user:

sql
CREATE USER scott IDENTIFIED BY tiger;

Result:

makefile
ORA-01031: insufficient privileges

This error occurs because Database Vault restricts user management operations, even for privileged users, unless you're using a specially authorized account.

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 Step 3: Use the Account Manager User

The correct account to perform user management tasks is typically the DV Account Manager—a user granted the DV_ACCTMGR role.

Connect as:

bash
sqlplus c##dv_acctmgr_root@pdb1

c##dv_acctmgr_root is a common DV account with the ability to manage users and roles in a secured environment.

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 Step 4: Successfully Create the User

Now, retry the user creation with appropriate credentials:

sql
CREATE USER scott IDENTIFIED BY ORacle1234##;

Result:

sql
User created.

 Passwords in DV environments often require stronger complexity settings—include upper/lowercase letters, digits, and special characters.

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 Summary

Step	Action	Result
1	Set container to pdb1	Success
2	Try to create user as normal DBA	ORA-01031
3	Connect as DV Account Manager (DV_ACCTMGR)	Success
4	Create the user	User created

Best Practices

• Assign the DV_ACCTMGR role only to trusted users.

• Always use strong passwords when creating users in DV-enabled environments.

• Audit and monitor account management activities regularly using unified audit trails.

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Oracle Database Vault significantly enhances database security posture. When working in such an environment, regular DBA operations require role separation and proper privilege routing—just like we've seen here with user creation.

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Want to automate DV-based user creation or manage secure roles? Follow more Oracle security tips at bidhandba.blogspot.com!

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