CVE-2004-1371 in Oracle
Summary
by MITRE
stack-based buffer overflow in oracle 9i and 10g allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long token in the text of a wrapped procedure.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1371 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting Oracle Database versions 9i and 10g. This flaw resides in the database's handling of wrapped procedures, which are obfuscated PL/SQL code used to protect intellectual property. The vulnerability manifests when the database processes a specially crafted text input containing an excessively long token within a wrapped procedure, creating a condition where the program attempts to write data beyond the bounds of a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow scenario occurs during the parsing and execution of database procedures, specifically when the system encounters malformed or oversized token sequences in the procedure text.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. The overflow can be triggered remotely through database connections, making it particularly dangerous as it does not require local system access or authentication. When the vulnerable code executes, the excessive token length causes the stack buffer to overflow, potentially overwriting return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack data. This memory corruption enables attackers to redirect program execution flow and inject malicious code, effectively allowing remote code execution with the privileges of the database process. The attack vector leverages the database's procedure parsing mechanism, specifically targeting the text processing routines that handle wrapped PL/SQL code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a severe privilege escalation risk within database environments. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive corporate information. Database administrators face significant challenges in mitigating this risk since the vulnerability exists in core database parsing functionality and affects widely deployed versions. The remote nature of the attack means that systems exposed to the internet or internal networks without proper segmentation are immediately at risk. Organizations using Oracle 9i and 10g databases without proper patching or network segmentation face potential data breaches, system downtime, and compliance violations. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where database security is paramount and where the consequences of unauthorized access can be catastrophic.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1371 require immediate action from database administrators and security teams. The primary recommendation involves applying Oracle's official security patches and updates, which address the buffer overflow condition in the procedure parsing code. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit database exposure to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface. Database administrators should disable unnecessary database features and ensure that only required procedures are exposed to external connections. Input validation and sanitization measures should be implemented to prevent malformed tokens from reaching the vulnerable parsing code. Monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect unusual database activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for executing malicious code and T1046 Network Service Scanning for reconnaissance activities. Organizations should also consider implementing database firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in database systems and applications.