Oracle TZ_OFFSET Remote System Buffer Overrun

NGSSoftware Insight Security Research Advisory

Name:    Oracle TZ_OFFSET Remote System Buffer Overrun

Systems Affected:  All platforms; Oracle9i Database Release 2, 9i Release 1,

8i, 8.1.7, 8.0.6

Severity:  High Risk

Category:               Remote System Buffer Overrun

Vendor URL:   http://www.oracle.com

Author:   Mark Litchfield (mark@ngssoftware.com)

Date:   16th February 2003

Advisory number: #NISR16022003c

Description

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Oracle’s database server contains fuctions for use within queries. The

TZ_OFFSET function returns the time zone offset corresponding to the value

entered based on the date the statement was executed. For example:

SELECT TZ_OFFSET(’US/Eastern’) FROM DUAL;

would return the time zone offset value of -04:00. The TZ_OFFSET() function

contains a remotely exploitable buffer overflow vulnerability.

Details

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There exists a remotely exploitable buffer overflow vulnerability in the

TZ_OFFSET function. By supplying a long character string for the time zone

name an attacker can overwrite a saved return address on the stack of Oracle

process.  Before this issue can be exploited an attacker must be able to log

on to the database server with a valid user ID and password, but as the

TO_TIMESTAMP_TZ() function can be executed by PUBLIC by default any user of

the system can gain control. Any arbitrary code supplied by an attacker

would execute with the same privileges as the user running the service; this

account is typically “Oracle” on linux/unix based platforms and Local System

on Windows based operating systems such as NT/2000/XP. As such this allows

for a complete compromise of the data stored in the database and possibly a

complete compromise of the operating system.

Fix Information

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NGSSoftware alerted Oracle to this vulnerability on 30th September 2002.

Oracle has developed a patch which is available from

http://otn.oracle.com/deploy/security/pdf/2003alert50.pdf

A check for these issues has been added to NGSSQuirreL for Oracle, a

comprehensive automated vulnerability assessment tool for Oracle Database

Servers of which more information is available from the NGSSite

http://www.ngssoftware.com/software/squirrelfororacle.html

Further Information

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For further information about the scope and effects of buffer overflows,

please see

http://www.ngssoftware.com/papers/non-stack-bo-windows.pdf

http://www.ngssoftware.com/papers/ntbufferoverflow.html

http://www.ngssoftware.com/papers/bufferoverflowpaper.rtf

http://www.ngssoftware.com/papers/unicodebo.pdf

About NGSSoftware

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NGSSoftware design, research and develop intelligent, advanced application

security assessment scanners. Based in the United Kingdom, NGSSoftware have

offices in the South of London and the East Coast of Scotland. NGSSoftware’s

sister company NGSConsulting, offers best of breed security consulting

services, specialising in application, host and network security

assessments.

http://www.ngssoftware.com/

http://www.ngsconsulting.com/

Telephone +44 208 401 0070

Fax +44 208 401 0076

enquiries@ngssoftware.com