CVE-2004-1362 in Oracle
Summary
by MITRE
The PL/SQL module for the Oracle HTTP Server in Oracle Application Server 10g, when using the WE8ISO8859P1 character set, does not perform character conversions properly, which allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions for certain procedures via an encoded URL with "%FF" encoded sequences that are improperly converted to "Y" characters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1362 represents a critical security flaw within the Oracle HTTP Server component of Oracle Application Server 10g. This issue specifically manifests in the PL/SQL module's handling of character set conversions, particularly when the WE8ISO8859P1 character set is employed. The flaw stems from improper character encoding management that creates a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent access controls that should otherwise restrict procedure execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables remote code execution through crafted URL sequences that exploit the server's inadequate conversion logic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of URL encoding patterns where attackers can utilize "%FF" encoded sequences in their requests. When the Oracle HTTP Server processes these sequences, the improper conversion mechanism transforms these specific byte values into "Y" characters instead of handling them correctly according to the WE8ISO8859P1 character set standards. This misinterpretation allows attackers to manipulate the server's access control mechanisms, effectively bypassing security restrictions that should prevent unauthorized access to protected procedures. The flaw operates at the HTTP request parsing level, where the server fails to properly validate and convert character sequences before processing access control checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple access bypass to potentially enable full system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to execute unauthorized procedures within the PL/SQL environment, potentially accessing sensitive data, modifying system configurations, or escalating privileges within the application server. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the access control model within Oracle Application Server 10g, undermining the security boundaries that should protect critical system components. This weakness particularly impacts organizations using the WE8ISO8859P1 character set, which was commonly deployed in European language environments and applications requiring specific character encoding support.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches, disabling unnecessary PL/SQL procedures, and implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the affected HTTP server components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-184, which addresses incomplete blacklists and improper input validation in security controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as attackers can bypass access controls and potentially maintain persistence within the compromised system. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of character set configurations and thorough validation of URL handling mechanisms to prevent similar encoding-related security issues from manifesting in other components of the Oracle Application Server ecosystem.