Vulnerability Note VU#743954

Oracle9i Database contains remotely exploitable buffer overflow in "TZ_OFFSET" function

Overview

A remotely exploitable buffer overflow vulnerability exists in Oracle9i Database.

I. Description

A buffer overflow vulnerability exists on all platforms in the following versions of Oracle9i Database:

Oracle9i Database Release 2
9i Release 1
8i
8.1.7
8.0.6

A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in TZ_OFFSET (a function responsible for handling timezone-related calculations). By supplying an overly long character string to the function, a remote attacker can overwrite a return address on the Oracle process stack, resulting in the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the vulnerable process. This process typically runs as "Oracle" on Linux and UNIX hosts and as "Local System" on Windows systems. Oracle has published Oracle Security Alert #49 regarding this issue. Patches for this vulnerability are available from Metalink (the Oracle Worldwide Support Services web site).

II. Impact

A remote attacker can overwrite a return address on the Oracle process stack, resulting in the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the vulnerable process. This process typically runs as "Oracle" on Linux and UNIX hosts and as "Local System" on Windows systems.

III. Solution

Oracle has published Oracle Security Alert #49 regarding this issue. Patches for this vulnerability are available from Metalink (the Oracle Worldwide Support Services web site).

Workarounds

Until a patch can be applied, the CERT/CC recommends that vulnerable sites

disable unnecessary Oracle services
run Oracle services with the least privilege
restrict network access to Oracle services

Systems Affected

Vendor	Status	Date Notified	Date Updated
Oracle Corporation	Vulnerable	18-Feb-2003

References

http://www.nextgenss.com/advisories/ora-tzofstbo.txt
http://otn.oracle.com/deploy/security/pdf/2003alert49.pdf
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/312038

Credit

This vulnerability was discovered by Mark Litchfield (mark@ngssoftware.com) of Next Generation Security Software Ltd. The CERT/CC thanks both Next Generation Security Software Ltd and Oracle for providing information upon which this document is based.

This document was written by Ian A Finlay.

Other Information

Date Public:	2003-02-11
Date First Published:	2003-02-18
Date Last Updated:	2003-02-19
CERT Advisory:
CVE-ID(s):
NVD-ID(s):
US-CERT Technical Alerts:
Metric:	27.00
Document Revision:	12

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