CVE-2005-3641 in Oracle9i
Summary
by MITRE
Oracle Databases running on Windows XP with Simple File Sharing enabled, allows remote attackers to bypass authentication by supplying a valid username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
This vulnerability exists in Oracle Database installations running on Windows XP systems where Simple File Sharing is enabled. The flaw stems from the interaction between Oracle Database's authentication mechanisms and Windows XP's file sharing configuration, creating an unexpected authentication bypass opportunity. When Simple File Sharing is enabled on Windows XP, it modifies the underlying file system access controls and network sharing behavior in ways that Oracle Database cannot properly account for during authentication validation. This creates a scenario where an attacker can authenticate to the Oracle Database using a valid username without providing a corresponding password, effectively circumventing the standard authentication process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the operating system's file sharing configuration rather than targeting Oracle Database internals directly, making it harder to detect and prevent through traditional database security measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the way Oracle Database handles authentication requests when the Windows XP file sharing configuration is altered by Simple File Sharing. When Simple File Sharing is enabled, Windows XP changes how it handles network file access and authentication, particularly affecting how file system permissions are interpreted during network operations. Oracle Database authentication mechanisms rely on proper credential validation, but when Simple File Sharing modifies the underlying network authentication context, Oracle Database's authentication routines fail to properly validate the presented credentials. This creates an authentication bypass where a valid username alone is sufficient to establish a database connection, as the system does not properly enforce password validation due to the modified Windows authentication context. The vulnerability specifically affects Oracle Database versions running on Windows XP systems where this particular file sharing configuration is active, making it a platform-specific issue rather than a database-wide problem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to Oracle Database systems without knowledge of valid passwords. This authentication bypass can lead to complete database compromise, enabling attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or establish persistent access to the system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring prior access to the system, and attackers can use any valid username from the database user accounts to attempt the bypass. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it can facilitate further attacks within the database environment, including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network. Organizations using Oracle Database on Windows XP with Simple File Sharing enabled face a critical security risk that could result in substantial data breaches and regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on disabling Simple File Sharing on Windows XP systems running Oracle Database, as this directly addresses the root cause of the authentication bypass. System administrators should ensure that Windows XP systems are configured to use standard file sharing rather than Simple File Sharing, which requires changing the network sharing settings in the Windows Control Panel. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit remote access to Oracle Database systems, reducing the attack surface available to potential attackers. Regular security audits should verify that Simple File Sharing is disabled on all systems hosting Oracle Database installations, and automated monitoring should be implemented to detect and alert on any configuration changes that might re-enable Simple File Sharing. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date operating systems and database software, as newer versions of Windows and Oracle Database have addressed similar authentication bypass issues through improved credential validation mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1110 for credential access, specifically focusing on the bypass of authentication mechanisms through operating system configuration flaws.