CVE-2000-1235 in Oracle9i Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
The default configurations of (1) the port listener and (2) modplsql in Oracle Internet Application Server (IAS) 3.0.7 and earlier allow remote attackers to view privileged database information via HTTP requests for Database Access Descriptor (DAD) files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-1235 represents a critical security flaw in Oracle Internet Application Server version 3.0.7 and earlier releases. This issue stems from the default configuration settings of two core components within the Oracle IAS environment: the port listener and the modplsql module. The port listener serves as the primary interface for HTTP communications, while modplsql acts as an Apache module that enables Oracle database access through web requests. When these components are deployed with their default configurations, they fail to properly enforce access controls, creating a significant security exposure that allows unauthorized remote actors to gain access to sensitive database information through simple HTTP requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of Database Access Descriptor (DAD) files, which are configuration elements that define how Oracle database resources are accessed via HTTP requests. When attackers send specific HTTP requests targeting these DAD files, they can bypass the normal authentication and authorization mechanisms that should protect privileged database information. This flaw essentially allows attackers to enumerate database users, access table structures, and potentially extract sensitive data without proper credentials or authorization. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer, exploiting the inherent trust relationships between the web server and the database backend. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the design of access control mechanisms, specifically CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which falls under the broader category of privilege escalation vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-1235 is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing Oracle IAS 3.0.7 or earlier versions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities against database systems, potentially identifying database schemas, user accounts, and sensitive data structures. The vulnerability enables what security professionals classify as information disclosure attacks, which can lead to data breaches and compliance violations. Organizations may face significant financial losses, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage when such vulnerabilities are exploited. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002: External Remote Services, as it exploits web-based access points to gain unauthorized database access. The impact extends beyond immediate data theft to include potential lateral movement within networks, as attackers can use the discovered information to plan more sophisticated attacks against other systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams. The primary recommendation involves modifying the default configurations of both the port listener and modplsql components to enforce proper authentication and authorization controls. Organizations should implement strict access controls for DAD files, ensuring that only authorized users and applications can access database resources through the web interface. Security patches and updates from Oracle should be applied immediately to address the underlying configuration issues. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the Oracle IAS web server from untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar configuration weaknesses in other components of their Oracle infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of principle of least privilege and proper configuration management, as recommended in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks, which emphasize the need for secure configuration of all system components to prevent unauthorized access and information disclosure.