CVE-2004-0638 in Oracle9i
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the KSDWRTB function in the dbms_system package (dbms_system.ksdwrt) for Oracle 9i Database Server Release 2 9.2.0.3 and 9.2.0.4, 9i Release 1 9.0.1.4 and 9.0.1.5, and 8i Release 1 8.1.7.4, allows remote authorized users to execute arbitrary code via a long second argument.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0638 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Oracle's database management system that exists in multiple versions of the 9i and 8i database releases. This vulnerability specifically affects the KSDWRTB function located within the dbms_system package, which is a privileged database component designed for system-level operations. The flaw manifests when the function processes a second argument that exceeds the allocated buffer space, creating a condition where arbitrary data can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This particular vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer than it can hold, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses and function pointers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical database security concerns as it enables remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This means that an attacker who has valid database credentials and can successfully invoke the vulnerable function can potentially gain complete control over the database server. The vulnerability's exploitability requires only that the attacker possess legitimate database access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database users have broad privileges or where credential compromise is possible through social engineering or other attack vectors. The affected versions span across Oracle 8i Release 1 8.1.7.4, Oracle 9i Release 1 9.0.1.4 and 9.0.1.5, and Oracle 9i Database Server Release 2 9.2.0.3 and 9.2.0.4, indicating this was a widespread issue affecting multiple database generations and release lines.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, as the buffer overflow enables code execution that could be leveraged for privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or system compromise. The attack chain typically begins with an authenticated database user exploiting the buffer overflow through a crafted second argument to the dbms_system.ksdwrt function, which then allows the attacker to overwrite memory contents and redirect execution flow to malicious code. This vulnerability particularly impacts database security because it operates at the system level where the database process typically runs with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their privileges beyond the database layer. Organizations using affected Oracle versions face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring special hardware or software access, making it accessible to attackers with basic database authentication credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0638 should focus on immediate patch deployment for all affected Oracle database versions, as Oracle released security patches specifically addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing strict database user access controls and privilege management can limit the potential impact of exploitation by reducing the number of authenticated users who can invoke the vulnerable function. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict direct database access from untrusted networks, while monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect anomalous usage patterns in the dbms_system package. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect suspicious invocation patterns of the vulnerable function and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date database security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include both perimeter security and internal database access controls to protect against privilege escalation attacks targeting core database functionality.