CVE-2008-2589 in Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Oracle Portal component in Oracle Application Server 9.0.4.3, 10.1.2.2, and 10.1.4.1 has unknown impact and remote attack vectors. NOTE: the previous information was obtained from the Oracle July 2008 CPU. Oracle has not commented on reliable researcher claims that this issue is a SQL injection vulnerability in the WWV_RENDER_REPORT package that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL (PL/SQL) commands via the second argument to the SHOW procedure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2589 resides within the Oracle Portal component of Oracle Application Server, specifically affecting versions 9.0.4.3, 10.1.2.2, and 10.1.4.1. This unspecified weakness represents a critical security gap that has been classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a SQL injection vulnerability. The vulnerability manifests within the WWV_RENDER_REPORT package, which is part of Oracle's web application development framework designed for building dynamic web applications. The flaw allows malicious actors to exploit the system through remote attack vectors, potentially executing arbitrary SQL commands through the second argument of the SHOW procedure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input parameters within the WWV_RENDER_REPORT package, specifically targeting the SHOW procedure's second argument. This attack vector enables remote code execution by allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets processed by the underlying database engine. The vulnerability's classification as a SQL injection flaw means that it directly violates the principle of input validation and proper parameterization in database interactions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even gain complete control over the affected Oracle Application Server instance. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2589 extends far beyond simple data compromise, as it represents a fundamental breach in the security architecture of Oracle Application Server installations. Organizations running affected versions face potential exposure to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and disruption of business operations. The vulnerability's presence in the web rendering component means that any user interacting with portal applications could potentially trigger the exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where portal applications serve as entry points for business processes. The attack surface is further expanded due to the widespread adoption of Oracle Application Server in enterprise environments, creating a significant risk for organizations that have not implemented proper patching procedures. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories, as it allows unauthorized access to database contents and potentially sensitive business information stored within the Oracle environment.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through official Oracle patches and updates to address this vulnerability. The implementation of network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to affected portal applications can provide temporary mitigation while permanent fixes are deployed. Database access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to limit the impact of potential exploitation, including implementing least privilege principles and monitoring for unusual database activity. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the Oracle Application Server ecosystem. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms to reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices, particularly in database interaction components that handle user-supplied input. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to address SQL injection vulnerabilities and ensure that security teams are trained to recognize and respond to such attacks effectively.