CVE-2005-2372 in Forms
Summary
by MITRE
Oracle Forms 4.5 through 10g starts form executables from arbitrary directories and executes them as the Oracle or System user, which allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading a malicious .fmx file and referencing it using an absolute pathname argument in the (1) form or (2) module parameters to f90servlet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2372 represents a critical path traversal and privilege escalation flaw within Oracle Forms versions 4.5 through 10g. This security weakness stems from the improper handling of form executable files and their execution paths, creating a dangerous condition where malicious actors can leverage the application's trust model to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects the f90servlet component which processes form and module parameters, allowing attackers to manipulate file execution paths through absolute path arguments.
The technical exploitation mechanism relies on the insecure execution of form files from arbitrary directories without proper path validation or privilege separation. When an attacker uploads a malicious .fmx file and references it using an absolute pathname argument in either form or module parameters, the system executes the file with the privileges of the Oracle or System user. This privilege escalation occurs because the application does not properly validate or sanitize the absolute path references, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute code in the context of the database service account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching within enterprise environments that utilize Oracle Forms. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, escalate privileges to system level access, and potentially compromise the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations running Oracle Forms 4.5 through 10g across various deployment scenarios including web applications, client-server environments, and enterprise applications. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where Oracle Forms is exposed to untrusted users or external networks, as the attack surface expands significantly.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of insecure direct object reference combined with privilege escalation, aligning with CWE-22 (Path Traversal) and CWE-78 (Command Injection) classifications. The attack pattern follows the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code with elevated privileges. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting file upload capabilities, implementing strict path validation for form execution parameters, and ensuring proper privilege separation between application components and database services. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit exposure of vulnerable Oracle Forms components to untrusted parties.