CERT Advisory CA-2002-08 Multiple vulnerabilities in Oracle Servers

From: CERT Advisory (cert-advisory@cert.org)
Date: 03/14/02 

Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2002 13:49:04 -0500 (EST)
From: CERT Advisory <cert-advisory@cert.org>
To: cert-advisory@cert.org

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CERT Advisory CA-2002-08 Multiple vulnerabilities in Oracle Servers

   Original release date: March 14, 2002
   Last revised: --
   Source: CERT/CC

   A complete revision history can be found at the end of this file.

Systems Affected

     * Systems running Oracle8i Database
     * Systems running Oracle9i Database
     * Systems running Oracle9i Application Server

Overview

   Multiple vulnerabilities in Oracle Application Server have recently
   been discovered. These vulnerabilities include buffer overflows,
   insecure default settings, failures to enforce access controls, and
   failure to validate input. The impacts of these vulnerabilities
   include the execution of arbitrary commands or code, denial of
   service, and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

I. Description

   Oracle Application Server includes a web server based on the Apache
   HTTP Server. Oracle extends the web server with a number of different
   components that can be used provide interfaces to database
   applications. These components include, but are not limited to, a
   Procedural Language/Structured Query Language (PL/SQL) module, Java
   Server Pages, XSQL Servlets, and Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP)
   applications.

   The vulnerabilities referenced in this advisory were reported in
   several publications by David Litchfield of NGSSoftware:

     * Hackproofing Oracle Application Server
       http://www.nextgenss.com/papers/hpoas.pdf

     * NGSSoftware Insight Security Research Advisory #NISR20122001
       http://www.nextgenss.com/advisories/plsql.txt

     * NGSSoftware Insight Security Research Advisory #NISR06022002A
       http://www.nextgenss.com/advisories/oraplsextproc.txt

     * NGSSOftware Insight Security Research Advisory #NISR06022002B
       http://www.nextgenss.com/advisories/oraplsbos.txt

     * NGSSoftware Insight Security Research Advisory #NISR06022002C
       http://www.nextgenss.com/advisories/orajsa.txt
       http://www.nextgenss.com/advisories/orajsp.txt

   For the complete list of Oracle-related vulnerabilities published by
   the CERT/CC, please search the Vulnerability Notes Database using the
   term 'Oracle'. Details about specific vulnerabilies can be found in
   the appropriate vulnerability note.

   Oracle has addressed these vulnerabilities with patches and
   recommended configuration changes. For more information please see the
   vendor information for Oracle in Appendix A.

  Buffer overflows

   Several buffer-overflow vulnerabilities exist in the way the PL/SQL
   module handles HTTP requests and configuration parameters. Default
   configuration settings in a range of components are insecure, and
   different components fail to apply access restrictions uniformly.
   These vulnerabilities expose both the systems running Oracle
   Application Server and the information held in the underlying
   databases to undue risk.

   Two more buffer overflow vulnerabilities exist in code that processes
   configuration parameters. These parameters processes configuration
   parameters that can be specified via the PL/SQL gateway web
   administration interface. By default, access to the PL/SQL gateway web
   administration interface is not restricted [VU#611776].

   VU#500203 - Oracle9i Application Server Apache PL/SQL module
   vulnerable to buffer overflow via help page request

   VU#313280 - Oracle9i Application Server Apache PL/SQL module
   vulnerable to buffer overflow via HTTP Location header

   VU#750299 - Oracle9i Application Server Apache PL/SQL module
   vulnerable to buffer overflow via HTTP request

   VU#878603 - Oracle9i Application Server Apache PL/SQL module
   vulnerable to buffer overflow via HTTP Authorization header

   VU#659043 - Oracle9i Application Server Apache PL/SQL module
   vulnerable to buffer overflow via Database Access Descriptor password

   VU#923395 - Oracle9i Application Server Apache PL/SQL module
   vulnerable to buffer overflow via cache directory name

  Insecure default configurations

   The default installation of Oracle Application Server includes a
   number of insecure configuration settings, such as well-known default
   passwords and unrestricted access to applications and sensitive
   information.

   VU#307835 - Oracle9i Application Server OWA_UTIL procedures expose
   sensitive information

   VU#736923 - Oracle 9iAS SOAP components allow anonymous users to
   deploy applications by default

   VU#611776 - Oracle9i Application Server PL/SQL Gateway web
   administration interface uses null authentication by default

   VU#698467 - Oracle 9iAS default configuration allows access to
   "globals.jsa" file

   VU#476619 - Oracle 9iAS default configuration allows arbitrary users
   to view sensitive configuration files

   VU#712723 - Oracle 9iAS default configuration uses well-known default
   passwords

   VU#168795 - Oracle 9iAS allows anonymous remote users to view
   sensitive Apache services by default

   VU#278971 - Oracle 9i Application Server does not adequately handle
   requests for nonexistent JSP files thereby disclosing web folder path
   information

  Failure to enforce access controls

   Oracle Application Server does not uniformly enforce access
   restrictions. Different components do not adequately check
   authorization before granting access to protected resources.

   VU#180147 - Oracle 9i Database Server PL/SQL module allows remote
   command execution without authentication

   VU#193523 - Oracle 9i Application Server allows unauthenticated access
   to PL/SQL applications via alternate Database Access Descriptor

   VU#977251 - Oracle 9iAS XSQL Servlet ignores file permissions allowing
   arbitrary users to view sensitive configuration files

   VU#547459 - Oracle 9iAS creates temporary files when processing JSP
   requests that are world-readable

  Failure to validate input

   In one case, the PL/SQL module does not properly handle a malformed
   HTTP request.

   VU#805915 - Oracle9i Application Server Apache PL/SQL module does not
   properly handle HTTP Authorization header

II. Impact

   The impacts of these vulnerabilities include the remote execution of
   arbitrary code, remote execution of commands and SQL queries,
   disclosure of sensitive information, and denial of service.

  Remote execution of arbitrary commands and code

   This section contains vulnerabilities that permit a remote intruder to
   cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary commands, code, or
   queries on the system.

   Some of these vulnerabilities allow execution with the privileges of
   the Apache process. On UNIX systems, the Apache process typically runs
   as the "oracle" user. On Windows systems, the Apache service typically
   runs as the SYSTEM user; therefore, an attacker could gain complete
   control of the system by exploiting these vulnerabilities.

   VU#500203 - Oracle9i Application Server Apache PL/SQL module
   vulnerable to buffer overflow via help page request

   VU#313280 - Oracle9i Application Server Apache PL/SQL module
   vulnerable to buffer overflow via help page request Location: header

   VU#750299 - Oracle9i Application Server Apache PL/SQL module
   vulnerable to buffer overflow via HTTP request

   VU#878603 - Oracle9i Application Server Apache PL/SQL module
   vulnerable to buffer overflow via HTTP Authorization header password
   parameter

   VU#659043 - Oracle9i Application Server Apache PL/SQL module
   vulnerable to buffer overflow via Database Access Descriptor password

   VU#923395 - Oracle9i Application Server Apache PL/SQL module
   vulnerable to buffer overflow via cache directory name

   VU#180147 - Oracle 9i Database Server PL/SQL module allows remote
   command execution without authentication

   VU#736923 - Oracle 9iAS SOAP components allow anonymous users to
   deploy applications by default

   VU#712723 - Oracle 9iAS default configuration uses well-known default
   passwords

   VU#611776 - Oracle9i Application Server PL/SQL Gateway web
   administration interface uses null authentication by default

  Unauthorized access to sensitive information

   A number of vulnerabilities disclose configuration information or
   expose data stored in underlying databases. Also, insecure
   applications could allow an intruder to execute SQL queries. Oracle
   system programmers may wish to examine these vulnerabilities in
   Oracle's sample pages to prevent similar vulnerabilities in their own
   Oracle applications.

   VU#307835 - Oracle9i Application Server OWA_UTIL PL/SQL application
   exposes procedures that are remotely accessible by arbitrary users

   VU#193523 - Oracle 9i Application Server allows unauthenticated access
   to PL/SQL applications via alternate Database Access Descriptor

   VU#698467 - Oracle 9iAS default configuration allows access to
   "globals.jsa" file

   VU#476619 - Oracle 9iAS default configuration allows arbitrary users
   to view sensitive configuration files

   VU#977251 - Oracle 9iAS XSQL Servlet ignores file permissions allowing
   arbitrary users to view sensitive configuration files

   VU#168795 - Oracle 9iAS allows anonymous remote users to view
   sensitive Apache services by default

   VU#278971 - Oracle 9i Application Server does not adequately handle
   requests for nonexistent JSP files thereby disclosing web folder path
   information

   VU#547459 - Oracle 9iAS creates temporary files when processing JSP
   requests that are world-readable

  Denial of service

   In the case where the PL/SQL module does not properly handle an HTTP
   request, a denial-of-service vulnerability exists. Also, an
   unsuccessful attempt to exploit a buffer overflow vulnerability could
   crash the Apache service.

   VU#805915 - Oracle9i Application Server Apache PL/SQL module does not
   properly handle HTTP Authorization header

III. Solution

   Oracle has provided patches and workarounds that address most of these
   vulnerabilities. Sites using Oracle Application Server are encouraged
   to install the appropriate patches and make the recommended
   configuration changes provided by Oracle.

   Solutions and workarounds for specific vulnerabilities can be found in
   individual vulnerability notes and in the following Oracle security
   alerts:

     * Oracle Security Alert #29
       http://otn.oracle.com/deploy/security/pdf/plsextproc_alert.pdf

     * Oracle Security Alert #28
       http://otn.oracle.com/deploy/security/pdf/ias_modplsql_alert.pdf

     * Oracle Security Alert #25
       http://otn.oracle.com/deploy/security/pdf/modplsql.pdf

     * Oracle Security Alert #22
       http://otn.oracle.com/deploy/security/pdf/ias_soap_alert.pdf

   Security and patch information for Oracle products are available at
   the following locations:

     * Oracle Security Alerts
       http://otn.oracle.com/deploy/security/alerts.htm

     * MetaLink (registration required)
       http://metalink.oracle.com/

   Sites using Oracle Application Server may also find David Litchfield's
   Hackproofing Oracle Application Server paper useful in describing the
   impacts and various interactions of these vulnerabilities.

  Apply a patch

   Oracle has released patches that address some of these
   vulnerabilities. Patch information can be found in Oracle Security
   Alert #28 and Oracle Security Alert #25 and on the MetaLink web site
   (registration required).

  Secure default configuration

   Oracle has provided documentation on changing vulnerable default
   configuration settings. For details, consult individual Vulnerability
   Notes and the Oracle Security Alerts referenced in Appendix A.
  _________________________________________________________________

   The CERT Coordination Center thanks David Litchfield and Oracle for
   information used in this document.
  _________________________________________________________________

   Authors: Art Manion, Jason Rafail, and Shawn Van Ittersum
  _________________________________________________________________

Appendix A. - Vendor Information

   This appendix contains statements provided by vendors for this
   advisory. We will update this section as vendors provide new or
   modified statements, and we will note the changes in our revision
   history. If a particular vendor is not listed below, we have not
   received their comments.

Appendix B. - References

    1. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/500203
    2. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/313280
    3. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/750299
    4. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/878603
    5. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/659043
    6. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/923395
    7. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/307835
    8. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/736923
    9. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/611776
   10. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/698467
   11. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/476619
   12. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/712723
   13. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/168795
   14. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/278971
   15. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/180147
   16. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/193523
   17. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/977251
   18. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/805915
   19. http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/547459
   20. http://www.nextgenss.com/papers/hpoas.pdf
   21. http://www.nextgenss.com/advisories/plsql.txt
   22. http://www.nextgenss.com/advisories/oraplsextproc.txt
   23. http://www.nextgenss.com/advisories/oraplsbos.txt
   24. http://www.nextgenss.com/advisories/orajsa.txt
   25. http://www.nextgenss.com/advisories/orajsp.txt
   26. http://otn.oracle.com/deploy/security/pdf/plsextproc_alert.pdf
   27. http://otn.oracle.com/deploy/security/pdf/ias_modplsql_alert.pdf
   28. http://otn.oracle.com/deploy/security/pdf/modplsql.pdf
   29. http://otn.oracle.com/deploy/security/pdf/ias_soap_alert.pdf
   ______________________________________________________________________

   This document is available from:
   http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-2002-08.html
   ______________________________________________________________________

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   Revision History
   March 14, 2002: Initial release

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