CVE-2006-5353 in Collaboration Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle HTTP Server component in Oracle Application Server 9.0.4.3, 10.1.2.0.2, 10.1.2.1.0, and 10.1.3.0.0, and Oracle Collaboration Suite 9.0.4.2 and 10.1.2, has unknown impact and remote attack vectors related to the Mod_rewrite Module, aka Vuln# OHS01.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5353 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle's HTTP Server component that affects multiple versions of Oracle Application Server and Collaboration Suite. This unspecified vulnerability specifically relates to the Mod_rewrite module, which is a powerful URL rewriting engine commonly used in web servers to redirect requests and modify URLs dynamically. The affected versions include Oracle Application Server 9.0.4.3, 10.1.2.0.2, 10.1.2.1.0, 10.1.3.0.0, along with Oracle Collaboration Suite 9.0.4.2 and 10.1.2, indicating a widespread impact across Oracle's enterprise web infrastructure products. The vulnerability is categorized under the broader security landscape as a remote attack vector, meaning that malicious actors can exploit this weakness without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the Oracle HTTP Server operates as a public-facing web service.
The technical flaw within the Mod_rewrite module stems from inadequate input validation and handling of rewrite rules that could potentially allow attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass normal security controls or execute unauthorized operations. While the exact nature of the vulnerability remains unspecified in the CVE description, such weaknesses in URL rewriting modules typically involve issues related to regular expression processing, path traversal, or improper sanitization of user-supplied data that gets processed through the rewrite engine. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE classification of CWE-121 for buffer overflow conditions or CWE-122 for buffer overflow conditions, though the specific CWE mapping would depend on the precise implementation flaw. The Mod_rewrite module's functionality allows administrators to define complex rewrite rules that transform URLs, and when these rules are not properly validated, they can become attack surfaces where malicious input can cause unexpected behavior in the web server's processing logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure or service disruption, as it represents a potential gateway for more sophisticated attacks within enterprise networks that rely on Oracle Application Server infrastructure. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, perform privilege escalation, or establish persistent access points within the organization's network infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly concerning for organizations that do not maintain strict network segmentation or monitoring of their web server traffic. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Initial Access, specifically through the use of web application attacks and credential access methods. The vulnerability could enable attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms or exploit other weaknesses in the web application stack that relies on Oracle HTTP Server for serving content.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches and updates as soon as they become available, which would address the underlying Mod_rewrite module flaw. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring and logging of HTTP server requests to detect anomalous URL patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The security posture should be enhanced through proper input validation practices for all web applications hosted on the affected servers, including the implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious rewrite rule patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other web server components that might be similarly affected by input validation weaknesses in their broader infrastructure, particularly focusing on modules that handle dynamic content processing and URL manipulation. The remediation process should also include reviewing and updating existing rewrite rules to ensure they properly validate all input parameters and do not introduce unnecessary attack surfaces that could be exploited by malicious actors leveraging similar vulnerabilities in the Mod_rewrite module.