CVE-2004-2244 in Oracle9i
Summary
by MITRE
The XML parser in Oracle 9i Application Server Release 2 9.0.3.0 and 9.0.3.1, 9.0.2.3 and earlier, and Release 1 1.0.2.2 and 1.0.2.2.2, and Database Server Release 2 9.2.0.1 and later, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU and memory consumption) via a SOAP message containing a crafted DTD.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2244 represents a critical denial of service weakness in Oracle's XML parsing infrastructure within its Application Server and Database Server products. This flaw affects multiple versions of Oracle 9i Application Server including Release 2 versions 9.0.3.0 and 9.0.3.1, 9.0.2.3 and earlier, as well as Release 1 versions 1.0.2.2 and 1.0.2.2.2, and Database Server Release 2 versions 9.2.0.1 and later. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and processing of Document Type Definitions within SOAP messages, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the XML parser's handling of crafted DTD elements.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of SOAP messages that contain specially crafted Document Type Definitions. When the affected Oracle XML parser processes these malformed DTD elements, it enters into an inefficient processing loop that consumes excessive CPU resources and memory allocation. This behavior constitutes a classic denial of service attack pattern where the targeted system becomes overwhelmed by resource consumption, ultimately leading to service unavailability for legitimate users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be triggered remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where SOAP services are exposed to external traffic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the overall availability and stability of Oracle server infrastructure. Organizations relying on affected Oracle 9i Application Server or Database Server versions face significant risk of system downtime, particularly when SOAP-based services are utilized for critical business operations. The resource exhaustion effect can cascade through system components, affecting not only the specific XML processing service but potentially impacting other applications sharing the same system resources. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes unchecked resource consumption as a fundamental weakness in software design, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices for input validation and resource management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2244 should focus on immediate patch application from Oracle, which would address the XML parser's insufficient validation mechanisms for DTD processing. Organizations should implement network-level firewalls and access controls to restrict exposure of SOAP services to trusted networks only, while also deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious SOAP message patterns. The implementation of XML parser configuration settings that limit DTD processing capabilities and resource allocation can serve as additional protective measures. According to ATT&CK framework category T1499, this vulnerability represents a denial of service technique that can be used to disrupt services and availability, while the underlying weakness falls under T1068 which addresses privilege escalation and system compromise through improper input handling. Organizations must also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected Oracle software across their infrastructure and implement proper monitoring to detect exploitation attempts.