CVE-2001-0833 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in otrcrep in Oracle 8.0.x through 9.0.1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long ORACLE_HOME environment variable, aka the "Oracle Trace Collection Security Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0833 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Oracle's trace collection mechanism, specifically affecting Oracle Database versions 8.0.x through 9.0.1. This security weakness resides in the otrcrep component which handles Oracle trace collection operations and presents a significant risk to system integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the ORACLE_HOME environment variable, which serves as a critical system parameter defining the Oracle installation directory. When a local user provides an excessively long ORACLE_HOME value, the otrcrep component fails to properly validate the input length before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This improper input handling creates a condition where the buffer overflow can be leveraged to overwrite the return address on the stack, redirecting program execution flow to attacker-controlled code. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Oracle Trace Collection functionality, which is used for monitoring and debugging database operations, making it a particularly dangerous vector for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a pathway to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Oracle user account. This represents a severe threat to database security since Oracle processes often run with elevated privileges and may have access to sensitive data repositories. The vulnerability affects systems where Oracle trace collection is enabled, which is common in production environments for performance monitoring and troubleshooting purposes. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially access, modify, or delete critical database information, leading to data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to corporate data assets. The attack vector requires local system access but does not necessitate network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local access is not strictly controlled.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0833 should focus on immediate patch application from Oracle, which addressed the buffer overflow by implementing proper input validation and bounds checking. Organizations should also implement environment variable restrictions to prevent overly long values from being passed to Oracle components, particularly in shared or multi-user environments. System administrators should disable Oracle trace collection features when not actively needed for debugging purposes, reducing the attack surface. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual ORACLE_HOME environment variable values can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation typically involves crafting malicious environment variable values to trigger the buffer overflow condition. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific flaw, particularly in legacy Oracle installations that may not have received subsequent security updates.