CVE-2005-0298 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
The DIRECTORY objects in Oracle 8i through Oracle 10g contain the location of a specific operating system directory, which allows users with read privileges to a DIRECTORY object to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0298 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Oracle Database systems spanning versions 8i through 10g. This vulnerability specifically affects DIRECTORY objects which serve as pointers to physical operating system directories within the database environment. The flaw stems from insufficient access controls that permit users with merely read privileges on a DIRECTORY object to extract sensitive information about the underlying file system structure. This represents a classic case of inadequate privilege separation where database metadata exposes operational details beyond what should be accessible to authenticated users. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of information disclosure weaknesses that can provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data for subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Oracle's DIRECTORY object mechanism which creates symbolic links between database objects and physical file system locations. When users possess read access to a DIRECTORY object, the database system inadvertently reveals the absolute path names of the underlying operating system directories through various metadata queries and system views. This information exposure occurs without proper authorization checks that should prevent users from accessing system-level directory structures. The flaw is particularly concerning because it allows unauthorized information gathering without requiring elevated privileges, making it an attractive target for reconnaissance activities. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and potentially CWE-552 (Files or Directories Accessible to Unauthorized Users) within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0298 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical system intelligence that can facilitate more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains knowledge of file system locations, directory structures, and potentially sensitive file paths that could lead to further exploitation opportunities. The exposure of directory locations may reveal the presence of backup files, log directories, or other system artifacts that could contain additional sensitive information. This vulnerability essentially undermines the principle of least privilege by allowing read-only database users to access system-level directory information that should remain restricted. The impact is particularly severe in environments where database users have broader access than intended, as the information disclosure could reveal the underlying operating system structure and potentially aid in privilege escalation attempts.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to DIRECTORY objects through proper privilege management and access control lists. Database administrators should review existing DIRECTORY object permissions and ensure that only authorized users with legitimate business requirements can access specific directory locations. The implementation of role-based access controls and principle of least privilege should be enforced to prevent unauthorized information disclosure. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database auditing and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to DIRECTORY objects. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques related to reconnaissance and credential access, specifically covering T1087 (Account Discovery) and T1552 (Unsecured Credentials) as attackers can use the disclosed information to plan more targeted attacks. System administrators should also consider applying Oracle security patches and updates as soon as they become available to remediate this vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation by malicious actors.