iDefense Security Advisory 04.15.08 http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/ Apr 15, 2008 I. BACKGROUND Oracle Application Express (Oracle APEX), formerly called HTML DB, is a rapid web application development tool for the Oracle database. For more information about Oracle Application Express, please visit following URL. http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/database/application_express/index.html II. DESCRIPTION Local exploitation of a design error vulnerability in Oracle Corp.'s Application Express web application development tool allows attackers to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability exists in "run_ddl" function within the "wwv_execute_immediate" package. This package is included in the "flows_030000" schema. This function allows attackers to execute SQL commands as any database user, such as SYS. III. ANALYSIS Exploitation allows the attacker to execute SQL commands as any database user. In order to exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must have access to an account which can execute the "flows_030000.wwv_execute_immediate.run_ddl" function. On a default installation of Oracle Database 11g, the following non-DBA users can execute this function: WMSYS, WKSYS, FLOWS_030000, OUTLN. If combined with other SQL injection vulnerabilities which give access to above accounts, an attacker with normal database user access can take control of the whole database and possibly the whole computer system. IV. DETECTION iDefense confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in Oracle Application Express version 3.0.1.00.08, which is installed by default with Oracle Database 11g R1 (version 11.1.0.6.0). Previous versions may also be affected. However, Oracle Database 10g R2 does not install Oracle Application Express by default. V. WORKAROUND Exploitation of this vulnerability can be prevented, if this component is not being used, by uninstalling Oracle Application Express. VI. VENDOR RESPONSE Oracle has addressed this issue within the April 2008 Critical Patch Update. For more information, visit the following URL. http://www.oracle.com/technology/deploy/security/critical-patch-updates/cpuapr2008.html VII. CVE INFORMATION The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the name CVE-2008-1811 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/), which standardizes names for security problems. VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE 01/18/2008 Initial vendor notification 01/22/2008 Initial vendor response 04/15/2008 Coordinated public disclosure IX. CREDIT This vulnerability was reported to iDefense by Joxean Koret. Get paid for vulnerability research http://labs.idefense.com/methodology/vulnerability/vcp.php Free tools, research and upcoming events http://labs.idefense.com/ X. LEGAL NOTICES Copyright © 2008 iDefense, Inc. Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express written consent of iDefense. If you wish to reprint the whole or any part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please e-mail customerservice@xxxxxxxxxxxx for permission. Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.
