CVE-2005-3205 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in iSQL*Plus (iSQLPlus) in Oracle9i Database Server Release 2 9.0.2.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via script in the "set markup HTML TABLE" command, which is executed when the user selects a table.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3205 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Oracle's iSQLPlus web interface component of the Oracle9i Database Server Release 2 version 9.0.2.4. This vulnerability exists in the web-based database administration tool that allows users to interact with Oracle database objects through a web browser interface. The iSQLPlus application serves as a web-based interface for database administrators to execute SQL commands and view results, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit web application vulnerabilities. The specific flaw occurs when the application processes user input through the "set markup HTML TABLE" command, which is designed to format query results in HTML table format for web display. This functionality becomes dangerous when malicious input is injected into the command, as the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it in the browser.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the iSQL*Plus web interface. When a user executes a SQL query with the "set markup HTML TABLE" command, the application processes the results and formats them as HTML tables for display in the web browser. However, the application does not adequately sanitize user-supplied data that gets incorporated into the HTML output. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious SQL commands that include embedded script tags or HTML code within the markup parameters. When the vulnerable application processes these commands and displays the results, the injected malicious code executes in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect users to malicious websites. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as the failure to properly escape output data, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Scripting through the execution of malicious scripts in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the database environment. Since iSQL*Plus typically requires database authentication to access, attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially execute commands with the privileges of the authenticated user, which may include database administrators. This creates a significant risk for organizations using Oracle9i Database Server, particularly those with exposed web interfaces or those that have not implemented proper network segmentation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a web-based management interface that is often accessible from external networks, making it an attractive target for remote exploitation. Organizations may face compliance violations if they fail to address this vulnerability, as it could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive database information, data breaches, and potential regulatory penalties under various data protection frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3205 should focus on both immediate patching and defensive measures. Oracle released patches for this vulnerability in subsequent updates, and organizations should prioritize applying the appropriate security patches to their Oracle9i Database Server installations. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to the iSQLPlus web interface to only trusted administrative networks. Input validation should be strengthened at the application level to ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. Web application firewalls can be deployed to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to limit who can access the iSQLPlus interface. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual SQL command patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices, as older database versions like Oracle9i are no longer supported by Oracle and are likely to contain additional unpatched vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web-based database management interfaces that may be present in the organization's infrastructure.