CVE-2005-2291 in jdeveloper
Summary
by MITRE
oracle jdeveloper 9.0.4 9.0.5 and 10.1.2 passes the cleartext password as a parameter when starting sqlplus which allows local users to gain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2019
Oracle JDeveloper versions 9.0.4, 9.0.5, and 10.1.2 contain a critical security flaw where the application passes cleartext passwords as command-line parameters when initiating SQL*Plus processes. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication credentials within the application's execution flow, creating an attack surface where local users can potentially access sensitive information through process monitoring tools or system logs. The flaw represents a direct violation of security best practices for credential handling and demonstrates a classic example of insecure credential storage and transmission in software applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Oracle JDeveloper launches SQL*Plus processes, typically for database connectivity operations within the development environment. During this process, the application constructs command-line arguments that include database passwords in plain text format rather than utilizing secure credential management mechanisms. This approach exposes the cleartext credentials to any process monitoring tool, system audit mechanisms, or command-line argument inspection utilities that may be available to local users with appropriate privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects the parameter passing mechanism within the application's database connection handling code, where authentication details are embedded directly into executable command lines without proper obfuscation or secure credential management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using affected Oracle JDeveloper versions, as it creates a persistent risk for credential exposure on systems where local users have access to process monitoring capabilities. Local attackers can leverage tools such as ps, top, or other process inspection utilities to view command-line arguments containing the cleartext passwords, potentially gaining access to database credentials that could be used for unauthorized database access or lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-255 (Credentials Management) categories, representing a fundamental flaw in how the application manages authentication tokens and sensitive data during execution. The risk is particularly elevated in multi-user environments or shared development systems where unauthorized users may have access to system monitoring capabilities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Oracle JDeveloper, implementing proper credential management practices, and utilizing secure authentication mechanisms such as Oracle Wallet or other credential storage solutions. System administrators should also configure appropriate access controls to limit local user privileges and implement process monitoring to detect unauthorized credential exposure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security principles such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST SP 800-63B standards for credential management, which emphasize the need for secure handling of authentication tokens and the avoidance of cleartext credential transmission in system processes. Additionally, this vulnerability relates to ATT&CK technique T1555.003 (Credentials from Password Stores) and T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures against credential exposure and process manipulation attacks in enterprise environments.