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              AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution
                             
                 ESB-1999.058 -- ISS X-Force Security Advisory
               Multiple File System Vulnerabilities in Oracle 8
                              10 May 1999

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ISS X-Force has released the following advisory concerning multiple file
system vulnerabilities in Oracle 8.  It includes additional information
about the vulnerability described in AusCERT Alert AL-1999.002 "Oracle
oratclsh vulnerability" as well as other potential vulnerabilities for
Oracle 8 users.

As the ISS advisory includes information and vulnerability details not
available when the AusCERT alert was issued all sites using Oracle 8 are
encouraged to review this advisory and take actions appropriate to their
site in addition to those listed in the AusCERT alert.

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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 xforce@iss.net 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 <xforce@iss.net> of Internet Security Systems, Inc.

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This security bulletin is provided as a service to AusCERT's members.  As
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If you believe that your system has been compromised, contact AusCERT or
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Teams).

Internet Email: auscert@auscert.org.au
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