CVE-2002-1632 in Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Oracle 9i Application Server (9iAS) installs multiple sample pages that allow remote attackers to obtain environment variables and other sensitive information via (1) info.jsp, (2) printenv, (3) echo, or (4) echo2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
Oracle 9i Application Server represents a significant security vulnerability classified as CVE-2002-1632 which exposes critical information disclosure flaws through multiple sample pages. This vulnerability specifically affects Oracle 9i Application Server installations that include default sample applications, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information. The affected components include info.jsp, printenv, echo, and echo2 sample pages that are typically installed as part of the standard Oracle 9iAS distribution. These sample pages serve no legitimate purpose in production environments but remain accessible to remote attackers who can leverage them to extract environment variables, system configurations, and other sensitive data that could aid in further exploitation attempts.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate access controls and improper configuration of sample applications within the Oracle 9i Application Server framework. When these sample pages are accessible to remote users, they provide direct exposure to system-level information through simple web requests that can be executed without authentication or authorization. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and represents a classic information disclosure weakness that falls under CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. Attackers can systematically query these pages to gather environment variables, server configurations, and potentially database connection strings or other credentials that might be embedded in the sample applications. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security hygiene in the default installation process where security considerations were not prioritized over convenience or demonstration purposes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the gathered environmental data can significantly aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks against the Oracle 9i Application Server infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can obtain detailed information about the server environment including operating system details, installed software versions, network configuration, and potentially sensitive system paths or resource locations. This intelligence can be used to tailor subsequent attacks, identify specific vulnerabilities in the server configuration, or even facilitate privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the principle of least privilege, as it allows any remote user to access information that should remain restricted to authorized system administrators. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the information gathering phase, specifically targeting the collection of system information and environment details to support later attack phases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1632 require immediate administrative action to secure the Oracle 9i Application Server environment. Organizations should remove or disable the sample applications that contain the vulnerable pages, particularly those accessible through info.jsp, printenv, echo, and echo2 endpoints. System administrators must ensure that default sample applications are not deployed in production environments or that they are properly secured through access controls, authentication mechanisms, or network segmentation. The recommended approach involves reviewing all default installations for unnecessary sample applications and either removing them entirely or ensuring they are not accessible from external networks. Security configurations should enforce strict access controls to prevent unauthorized users from accessing any information disclosure endpoints. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components of their Oracle 9i Application Server infrastructure, ensuring that default installations do not introduce unnecessary security risks. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining secure configuration practices and demonstrates how default installations can create security exposure points that require active management and monitoring.