oracle.8.fs.admin.tools.txt

`Date: 7 May 1999 19:27:13 -0000  
From: X-Force <[email protected]>  
To: [email protected]  
Cc: X-Force <[email protected]>  
Subject: ISSalert: ISS Security Advisory: Multiple File System Vulnerabilities in Oracle 8  
  
  
TO UNSUBSCRIBE: email "unsubscribe alert" in the body of your message to  
[email protected] Contact [email protected] for help with any problems!  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------  
  
  
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----  
  
ISS Security Advisory  
May 6, 1999  
  
Multiple File System Vulnerabilities in Oracle 8  
  
Synopsis:  
  
Internet Security Systems (ISS) X-Force has discovered that multiple  
vulnerabilities exist in Oracle 8 that may allow local attackers to exploit  
weaknesses in Oracle administrative tools. Oracle is the market leader in  
enterprise database solutions. Attackers may use these vulnerabilities to  
amplify their privilege to that of the 'oracle' user. By default, the  
oracle user controls the entire Oracle database system. Attackers may  
launch local denial of service attacks against the database as well as alter  
or manipulate data.  
  
  
Affected Versions:  
  
ISS X-Force has determined that most current versions of Oracle 8 for Unix  
are vulnerable. These versions include 8.03, 8.04, 8.05, and 8.15. Oracle  
8 for Windows NT is not affected by these vulnerabilities.  
  
Description:  
  
The Oracle 8 distribution is shipped with many administrative utilities that  
are owned by the oracle user with the setuid bit enabled. Several of these  
utilities implement insecure file creation and manipulation. These  
utilities also trust Oracle-related environment variables. The combined  
effect of these vulnerabilities may allow local attackers to create, append  
to, or overwrite privileged oracle files. Certain vulnerabilities exist  
that may allow local attackers to execute arbitrary commands as the oracle  
user. Attackers may also be able to permanently elevate their privilege to  
that of the oracle user.  
  
Temporary files that follow symbolic links are a common source of  
vulnerabilities in setuid executables. Administrators should remove or  
restrict access to setuid executables if possible.  
  
Developers of setuid programs need to take special precautions to prevent  
the introduction of vulnerabilities of this nature. ISS X-Force recommends  
that all Unix developers become familiar with Matt Bishop's secure  
programming guide, available at  
http://olympus.cs.ucdavis.edu/~bishop/secprog.html  
  
Fix Information:  
  
ISS X-Force has worked with Oracle to provide a patch for the  
vulnerabilities described in this advisory. Oracle has provided the  
following FAQ to answer any questions concerning these vulnerabilities.  
  
Q: I've heard about a setuid security issue with the Oracle database? What  
is this all about?  
A: On Unix platforms, some executable files have the setuid bit on. It may  
be possible for a very knowledgeable user to use these executables to bypass  
your system security by elevating their operating system privileges to that  
of the Oracle user.  
  
Q: Which releases are affected by this problem?  
A: This problem affects Oracle data server releases 8.03, 8.0.4, 8.0.5, and  
8.1.5 on Unix platforms only.  
  
Q: Can I correct this problem or do I need a patch?  
A: This problem can easily be corrected. The customer can download the patch  
>from the Oracle MetaLink webpages at http://www.oracle.com/support/elec_sup.  
The patch is a Unix shell script. This shell script should be run  
immediately, and also run after each relink of Oracle.  
  
Q: What is Oracle doing to fix this problem?  
A: Effective immediately, Oracle will provide the patch on Oracle's  
Worldwide Support Web pages. Oracle will ensure the patches are incorporated  
into future releases of Oracle8i (8.1.6) and Oracle8.0 (8.0.6)  
  
Q: What is Oracle doing to notify users about this problem now?  
A: Oracle is notifying all supported customers, via the Oracle Worldwide  
Support Web pages, of this issue so they can address it as required.  
  
ISS X-Force also recommends that all administrators complete a proactive  
survey on the use or potential misuse of setuid bits on privileged  
executables on their systems.  
  
Credits:  
  
These vulnerabilities were primarily researched by Dan Ingevaldson of the  
ISS X-Force.  
  
________  
  
Copyright (c) 1999 by Internet Security Systems, Inc. Permission is  
hereby granted for the electronic redistribution of this Security Alert.  
It is not to be edited in any way without express consent of the X-Force.  
If you wish to reprint the whole or any part of this Alert Summary in any  
other medium excluding electronic medium, please e-mail [email protected] for  
permission.  
  
About ISS  
ISS is the pioneer and leading provider of adaptive network security   
software delivering enterprise-wide information protection solutions. ISS'  
award-winning SAFEsuite family of products enables information risk  
management within intranet, extranet and electronic commerce environments.  
By combining proactive vulnerability detection with real-time intrusion  
detection and response, ISS' adaptive security approach creates a flexible  
cycle of continuous security improvement, including security policy  
implementation and enforcement. ISS SAFEsuite solutions strengthen the  
security of existing systems and have dramatically improved the security  
posture for organizations worldwide, making ISS a trusted security advisor  
for firms in the Global 2000, 21 of the 25 largest U.S. commercial banks  
and over 35 governmental agencies. For more information, call ISS at  
678-443-6000 or 800-776-2362 or visit the ISS Web site at www.iss.net.  
  
Disclaimer  
The information within this paper may change without notice. Use of this  
information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There  
are NO warranties with regard to this information. In no event shall the  
author be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of or in  
connection with the use or spread of this information. Any use of this  
information is at the user's own risk.  
  
X-Force PGP Key available at: http://www.iss.net/xforce/sensitive.html  
as well as on MIT's PGP key server and PGP.com's key server.  
  
Please send suggestions, updates, and comments to:  
X-Force <[email protected]> of Internet Security Systems, Inc.  
  
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----  
Version: 2.6.3a  
Charset: noconv  
  
iQCVAwUBNzLwJzRfJiV99eG9AQFDHwP/U4iParVoaPwPea8i+mXciMELGUDga2UM  
Iyk6T6poQ9G3ASefs+v6Lm509xDeGCcPTi1MB7SvzUBb1vx95yOhu4M9CJHWOTCJ  
3/ZlpV1Zdc7s/+N0ACxFNPozOmQvpT3OhbJKOakNQxDg3q/VbVXcJOxJ0DBKy7Xe  
d0ehW7p2OqQ=  
=6FXz  
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----  
  
`