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Oracle WebLogic Apache Connector

BACKGROUND

The WebLogic Apache Connector is module for the Apache httpd server. It is used to proxy requests from Apache to a backend WebLogic server. For more information, see the vendor's site found at the following link.

http://edocs.bea.com/wls/docs60/adminguide/apache.html

DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a stack based buffer overflow vulnerability in Oracle Corp.'s WebLogic Server Apache Connector could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service.

A stack based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the Apache Connector of Oracle (formerly BEA) WebLogic Server. When parsing a request with an invalid parameter the module uses a string without properly validating its length. This string is copied into a fixed sized stack buffer. This results in a stack based buffer overflow.

ANALYSIS

Exploitation of this vulnerability results in the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service, usually SYSTEM. The vulnerability is a stack based buffer overflow, and many of the modules are not compiled with SAFESEH enabled, so it is trivial to exploit resulting in attacker supplied code being executed.

DETECTION

iDefense has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in WebLogic Server Apache Connector version 10.0. Previous versions may also be affected.

WORKAROUND

Editing the httpd.conf file and adding 'LimitRequestFieldsize 4000' in the global configuration area will prevent exploitation. However, users will be unable to submit request parameters that are longer than 4000 bytes.

VENDOR RESPONSE

Oracle has released a Critical Patch Update (CPU) for October 2008 which addresses these issues. For more information, consult their advisory at the following URL.

http://www.oracle.com/technology/deploy/security/critical-patch-updates/cpuoct2008.html

CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the name CVE-2008-4008 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/), which standardizes names for security problems.

DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

07/31/2008 Initial Vendor Notification
08/01/2008 Initial Vendor Reply
08/29/2008 Additional Vendor Feedback
10/29/2008 Coordinated Public Disclosure

CREDIT

This vulnerability was discovered by Sean Larsson and Joshua J. Drake of iDefense Labs.

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LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2008 Verisign, Inc.

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