CVE-2005-2371 in Oracle
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Oracle Reports 6.0, 6i, 9i, and 10g allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via (1) "..", (2) Windows drive letter (C:), and (3) absolute path sequences in the desname parameter. NOTE: this issue was probably fixed by REP06 in CPU Jan 2006, in which case it overlaps CVE-2006-0289.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2019
This directory traversal vulnerability in Oracle Reports versions 6.0, 6i, 9i, and 10g represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate file operations through carefully crafted input sequences. The vulnerability specifically affects the desname parameter processing within the reporting framework, allowing malicious actors to bypass normal file access controls and potentially overwrite arbitrary files on the target system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are directly used in file system operations without proper path normalization or security checks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through three distinct attack vectors that leverage different aspects of path manipulation. The first vector uses the standard ".." sequence to traverse up directory levels, while the second exploits Windows drive letter specifications such as "C:" to target specific volumes. The third vector involves absolute path sequences that can directly specify file locations outside of intended directories. These attack methods collectively demonstrate a weakness in the application's parameter handling that fails to properly validate or sanitize input before using it in file system operations. This vulnerability maps to CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access manipulation to potentially enable complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can overwrite critical system files, executables, or configuration files, potentially leading to privilege escalation, system instability, or complete system takeover. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring local access or prior authentication. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Oracle Reports may be exposed to external networks. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation practices that could affect other components of the Oracle ecosystem, highlighting the importance of secure coding practices and proper parameter sanitization.
The remediation for this vulnerability involves applying the security patches released as part of Oracle's January 2006 Critical Patch Update, specifically addressing the REP06 fix that resolves this directory traversal issue. Organizations should ensure they have updated to the appropriate Oracle Reports versions that contain the patched code, as the vulnerability was officially addressed in the January 2006 CPU. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, using parameterized queries, and employing secure coding practices such as path normalization and access control checks can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of network segmentation and limiting exposure of legacy Oracle Reports installations to external networks, as well as implementing proper monitoring and logging of file system operations to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves executing malicious code through command and scripting interpreters, as the path traversal could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code by overwriting system binaries or configuration files.