Source: cve@mitre.org
Oracle 9i Application Server (9iAS) installs multiple sample pages that allow remote attackers to obtain environment variables and other sensitive information via (1) info.jsp, (2) printenv, (3) echo, or (4) echo2.
Oracle 9i Application Server (9iAS) is vulnerable to information disclosure, allowing remote attackers to extract sensitive data like environment variables. This vulnerability, stemming from the presence of sample pages, can be leveraged to gain unauthorized access and potentially compromise the server. Successful exploitation can lead to credential theft and system compromise.
Step 1: Reconnaissance: The attacker identifies the presence of an Oracle 9iAS instance, typically by port scanning (e.g., port 80, 443) and banner grabbing.
Step 2: Vulnerability Identification: The attacker attempts to access the vulnerable pages by appending their known paths to the server's URL (e.g., /info.jsp, /printenv, /echo, /echo2).
Step 3: Information Gathering: If the pages are accessible, the attacker receives a response containing environment variables and other sensitive server information.
Step 4: Data Analysis: The attacker analyzes the gathered information, looking for credentials, database connection strings, internal network addresses, and other valuable data.
Step 5: Privilege Escalation: The attacker uses the gathered information to attempt further attacks, such as gaining unauthorized access to databases, internal systems, or other sensitive resources.
The vulnerability lies in the inclusion of several sample pages (info.jsp, printenv, echo, echo2) within the default installation of Oracle 9iAS. These pages are designed for debugging and demonstration purposes but inadvertently expose sensitive information. The core issue is a lack of proper access control and input validation. The pages directly output server-side environment variables, which can contain critical information such as database connection strings, user credentials, and internal network configurations. The flaw is not a specific code-level bug like a buffer overflow or SQL injection, but rather a design flaw where sensitive data is exposed through publicly accessible resources. The root cause is the failure to remove or secure these sample pages during production deployments, coupled with the inherent sensitivity of the information contained within environment variables.
While no specific APTs are directly linked to this CVE, the information disclosure nature makes it a valuable initial step for any attacker. It provides a foothold for further attacks. This vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, but it's a good candidate for inclusion due to its ease of exploitation and potential impact.
Web server logs: Look for requests to /info.jsp, /printenv, /echo, and /echo2. Unusual traffic patterns to these files should be investigated.
Network traffic analysis: Examine HTTP requests and responses for the presence of sensitive information (e.g., database connection strings, user credentials) in the response bodies from the server.
File integrity monitoring: Monitor the integrity of the web server's files, including the sample pages. Any unauthorized modifications should be investigated.
Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Implement IDS rules to detect requests to the vulnerable pages and/or the presence of sensitive information in HTTP responses.
Remove the vulnerable sample pages (info.jsp, printenv, echo, echo2) from the server. This is the most direct and effective mitigation.
Implement proper access control: If the sample pages cannot be removed, restrict access to them using authentication and authorization mechanisms.
Review and sanitize environment variables: Ensure that sensitive information is not stored in environment variables. Use secure configuration management practices.
Regularly update the Oracle 9iAS software to the latest version or apply security patches.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter malicious requests and protect against exploitation attempts.
Conduct regular vulnerability scans to identify and address security weaknesses.