CVE-2002-1636 in Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the htp PL/SQL package for Oracle 9i Application Server (9iAS) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the cbuf parameter to htp.print.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1636 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Oracle 9i Application Server's htp PL/SQL package. This weakness specifically affects the cbuf parameter in the htp.print function, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected web applications. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses, making it particularly dangerous for web-based applications that rely on Oracle 9iAS for their backend processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the htp PL/SQL package which is designed to facilitate web application development within Oracle's application server environment. When the cbuf parameter receives unvalidated user input, the system fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code by web browsers. This lack of proper sanitization creates a persistent XSS vector where attackers can inject malicious payloads that execute in the browsers of unsuspecting users who access the vulnerable web application. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where improper validation of user-supplied data leads to execution of unintended code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data manipulation, and redirection to malicious websites. An attacker could craft payloads that steal session cookies, modify application behavior, or even redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate. The remote nature of this attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This vulnerability essentially compromises the integrity of the web application's user interface and can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and sensitive data exposure.
Organizations utilizing Oracle 9i Application Server should implement immediate mitigations including input validation at all points where user data enters the application, proper HTML escaping of dynamic content before rendering, and implementing content security policies to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts. The recommended approach involves validating and sanitizing all input parameters passed to the htp.print function, particularly the cbuf parameter, and ensuring that any user-supplied data is properly encoded before being incorporated into web responses. Additionally, implementing proper web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security risks and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution through web-based payloads. Organizations should also consider upgrading to supported versions of Oracle Application Server that have addressed this vulnerability, as Oracle 9iAS reached end-of-life status and no longer receives security updates.