Vulnerability Note VU#977251

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

Overview

It is possible to read the sensitive configuration files from an Oracle 9i Application Server without any authorization. This can lead to an intruder gaining access to sensitive information about the server and potentially compromising it.

I. Description

Default installation of the Oracle 9i Application Server does not set appropriate permissions to configuration files that contain sensitive information (see VU#476619). Since these files are not protected by default, any user can access the files directly through a virtual directory and view the contents. When these files have the appropriate permissions set, an HTTP request to access the files results in a "403 Forbidden" response. However, access can be gained by requesting the file using the XSQLServlet. This servlet will bypass any permissions placed on the file and display its content.

II. Impact

An intruder can read files that shouldn't be accessable, and gain sensitive information about the configuration of the server. This information can be used to compromise the server.

III. Solution

The CERT/CC is currently unaware of a practical solution to this problem.

Apply the appropriate permissions to the configuration files and remove the XSQLServlet, if possible.

Systems Affected

Vendor	Status	Date Updated
Oracle	Vulnerable	6-Mar-2002

References

http://www.nextgenss.com/papers/hpoas.pdf

Credit

Our thanks to David Litchfield of NGSSoftware, who reported on this vulnerability.

This document was written by Jason Rafail and is based on the report by David Litchfield.

Other Information

Date Public	02/06/2002
Date First Published	03/06/2002 09:14:57 AM
Date Last Updated	03/06/2002
CERT Advisory
CVE Name
Metric	22.50
Document Revision	18

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