CVE-2004-1365 in E-Business Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Extproc in Oracle 9i and 10g does not require authentication to load a library or execute a function, which allows local users to execute arbitrary commands as the Oracle user.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1365 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Oracle Database's external process (extproc) functionality affecting versions 9i and 10g. This issue resides in the core database architecture where the extproc component is designed to handle external procedures but fails to implement proper authentication mechanisms before allowing library loading and function execution. The flaw exists at the system integration level where database processes can be manipulated to execute arbitrary code without proper verification of the calling entity's identity or authorization status.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the extproc service's lack of mandatory authentication checks when processing external procedure calls. When a local user can establish a connection to the extproc service, they can bypass the normal database authentication flow and directly load shared libraries or execute functions within the Oracle database environment. This creates a privilege escalation path where local attackers can leverage the database service account's permissions to execute malicious code with the elevated privileges of the Oracle user. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in authentication mechanisms under CWE-287, specifically targeting the absence of proper authentication checks in external service interfaces.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local users to achieve arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Oracle database service account, which typically possesses extensive system access rights. The Oracle user account often has significant permissions including file system access, network connectivity, and potentially database administrative capabilities. This allows attackers to perform reconnaissance, escalate privileges further within the system, or extract sensitive data from the database environment. The impact is particularly severe because it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can be leveraged for persistent access within the database infrastructure, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script execution.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the principle of least privilege implementation within Oracle Database services. The extproc functionality, intended for legitimate external procedure calls, becomes a vector for unauthorized code execution when proper authentication is not enforced. Organizations using affected Oracle versions face significant risk of data compromise, system infiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure configuration management and proper service hardening practices, as the flaw exists in default installations without additional security measures. Mitigation strategies should include disabling unnecessary external procedures, implementing proper network segmentation, applying Oracle security patches, and configuring appropriate authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to the extproc service interface.