CVE-2002-1635 in Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Apache configuration file (httpd.conf) in Oracle 9i Application Server (9iAS) uses a Location alias for /perl directory instead of a ScriptAlias, which allows remote attackers to read the source code of arbitrary CGI files via a URL containing the /perl directory instead of /cgi-bin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1635 represents a critical misconfiguration in the Oracle 9i Application Server's Apache web server implementation that fundamentally undermines the security boundaries intended for CGI script execution. This flaw stems from the improper use of Apache configuration directives within the httpd.conf file, where a Location alias is employed instead of the more secure ScriptAlias directive for handling Perl scripts. The misconfiguration creates an unintended access path that bypasses the normal security mechanisms designed to protect executable scripts from being served as plain text source code. When Apache processes requests through a Location directive rather than ScriptAlias, it treats the directory as a regular location rather than a CGI execution point, allowing arbitrary file access patterns to be exploited.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through URL manipulation that leverages the flawed configuration to access sensitive files through the /perl directory path. Attackers can construct malicious URLs that traverse the file system and retrieve the source code of CGI scripts that would normally be executed by the server. This misconfiguration directly violates the principle of least privilege and allows for information disclosure attacks that can expose sensitive code, potentially including database connection strings, authentication mechanisms, and business logic implementations. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of improper input validation and access control enforcement within web server configurations, creating a path for remote code execution through information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks against the Oracle 9i Application Server environment. When attackers can read the source code of CGI scripts, they gain insights into the application's internal workings, which can facilitate further exploitation attempts such as identifying hardcoded credentials, understanding application logic flows, and discovering other potential vulnerabilities. This information disclosure creates a reconnaissance opportunity that significantly reduces the attack surface complexity for subsequent exploitation phases. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the web application environment, potentially exposing sensitive business data and system configurations that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the fundamental misconfiguration in the Apache server settings through proper implementation of the ScriptAlias directive instead of Location alias for CGI script execution paths. Organizations should immediately review and correct all Apache configuration files to ensure that executable script directories use ScriptAlias rather than Location directives, thereby enforcing proper execution boundaries. This remediation aligns with the security principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement as defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Additionally, implementing proper web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting such misconfigurations. The fix requires careful attention to ensure that legitimate CGI script execution continues to function properly while eliminating the information disclosure vulnerability that allows unauthorized access to source code files through the misconfigured path.
This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200 Information Disclosure and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 Credential Access: Credentials in Files, as it enables unauthorized access to source code that may contain sensitive information. The misconfiguration represents a failure in proper security hardening practices and highlights the importance of configuration management and security auditing in web server deployments. Organizations should implement regular security assessments of their web server configurations to identify and remediate similar issues that could create similar access control bypass opportunities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper web server hardening and configuration management in preventing information disclosure attacks that can significantly compromise system security posture.