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Home > Products and services > CSIRTUK advisories > Advisories archive > April 2005 > iDEFENSE Security advisories concerning vulnerabilities in MySQL

April 2005

iDEFENSE Security advisories concerning vulnerabilities in MySQL

ID: 00356
Ref: 330/2005
Date: 27 April 2005:16:26:15
Version: 1

Title: iDEFENSE Security advisories concerning vulnerabilities in MySQL
Abstract: iDEFENSE has identified a number of vulnerabilties in MySQL, ie MaxDB Webtool Remote Lock-Token Stack Overflow, MaxDB Webtool Remote Stack Overflow and MaxDB Webtool Remote 'If' Stack Overflow.
Vendors affected: MySQL
Applications affected: MySQL

MySQL MaxDB Webtool Remote Lock-Token Stack Overflow Vulnerability

iDEFENSE Security Advisory 04.25.05
www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=235&type=vulnerabilities
April 25, 2005

I. BACKGROUND

MaxDB by MySQL is a re-branded and enhanced version of SAP DB, SAP AG's
open source database. MaxDB is a heavy-duty, SAP-certified open source
database that offers high availability, scalability and a comprehensive
feature set. MaxDB complements the MySQL database server, targeted for
large mySAP ERP environments and other applications that require maximum

enterprise-level database functionality.

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in
MySQL MaxDB could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code.

The vulnerability specifically exists due to a lack of bounds checking
in the WebDAV functionality of the web tool. When an attacker issues an
HTTP request with the unlock method, along with a long Lock-Token
string, a stack-based overflow occurs. The offending code follows:

MaxDB_ORG/sys/src/SAPDB/WebDAV/Handler/WDVHandler_CommonUtils.c:

WDVH_Bool getLockTokenHeader(sapdbwa_HttpRequestP request,
WDVH_Char *sLockToken,
WDVH_Char *errormsg)
{
WDVH_Char *temp1, *temp2, *temp4, *temp5;
WDVH_UInt4 length;
WDVH_Char temp3[WDVH_MAX_IF_HEADER_LEN];

if (request==NULL || sLockToken==NULL || errormsg==NULL)
return WDVH_False;

temp4 = (char*)sapdbwa_GetHeader(request,"Lock-Token");
if (temp4 != NULL) {
strcpy(temp3,temp4);
[...]

The variable temp3 is a fixed-length stack buffer. The function
sapdbwa_GetHeader() returns the user supplied value for Lock-Token. This

user-supplied value is then copied into the fixed-size buffer using a
strcpy() call. Due to no boundary checking, it is possible to overflow
the stack buffer and overwrite stack memory, ultimately leading to
control of execution flow and execution of arbitrary code.

III. ANALYSIS

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability can allow remote attackers
to execute code with SYSTEM privileges. Note that the vulnerability is
in the web administration service, which should be configured to not
allow connections from untrusted hosts or listening on public-facing
network interfaces.

IV. DETECTION

iDEFENSE has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in MySQL
MaxDB 7.5.00.23.

V. WORKAROUND

Employ firewalls, access control lists or other TCP/UDP-restriction
mechanisms to limit access to administrative systems and services.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

This vulnerability is addressed in MySQL MaxDB 7.5.00.26 available for
download at:

http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/maxdb/7.5.00.html

VII. CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CAN-2005-0684 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for
security problems. This is one of two vulnerabilities that have been
assigned CAN-2005-0684.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

03/08/2005 Initial vendor notification
03/11/2005 Initial vendor response
04/25/2005 Coordinated public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous.

Get paid for vulnerability research
http://www.idefense.com/poi/teams/vcp.jsp

Free tools, research and upcoming events
http://labs.idefense.com

X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright (c) 2005 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
email customerservice@idefense.com 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.

************************************************************************

MySQL MaxDB Webtool Remote Stack Overflow Vulnerability

iDEFENSE Security Advisory 04.25.05
http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=234&type=vulnerabilit
ies
April 25, 2005

I. BACKGROUND

MaxDB by MySQL is a re-branded and enhanced version of SAP DB, SAP AG's
open source database. MaxDB is a heavy-duty, SAP-certified open source
database that offers high availability, scalability and a comprehensive
feature set. MaxDB complements the MySQL database server, targeted for
large mySAP ERP environments and other applications that require maximum
enterprise-level database functionality.

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in
MySQL MaxDB could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code.

The vulnerability specifically exists due to improper handling of HTTP
GET queries containing a percent sign (%). When an attacker issues an
HTTP GET request specifying a percent sign followed by a long string as
the file parameter, a stack-based overflow occurs. Although exceptions
within the process can be raised with smaller strings, it is necessary
to provide a string of approximately 4,000 bytes in length to overwrite
the process Structured Exception Handler (SEH). Using this method, is
possible to gain control of execution flow and execute arbitrary code.

It is also possible to simply overwrite the program's saved instruction
pointer. However, it would be necessary to provide several valid
pointers in the buffer along the way in order to avoid premature
exceptions.

III. ANALYSIS

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability can allow remote attackers
to execute code with SYSTEM privileges. Note that the vulnerability is
in the web administration service, which should be configured not to
allow connections from untrusted hosts or listen on public-facing
network interfaces.

IV. DETECTION

iDEFENSE has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in MySQL
MaxDB 7.5.00.23.

V. WORKAROUND

Employ firewalls, access control lists or other TCP/UDP restriction
mechanism to limit access to administrative systems and services.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

This vulnerability is addressed in MySQL MaxDB 7.5.00.26 available for
download at:

http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/maxdb/7.5.00.html

VII. CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CAN-2005-0684 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for
security problems. This is one of two vulnerabilities that have been
assigned CAN-2005-0684.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

03/08/2005 Initial vendor notification
03/11/2005 Initial vendor response
04/25/2005 Coordinated public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous.

Get paid for vulnerability research
http://www.idefense.com/poi/teams/vcp.jsp

Free tools, research and upcoming events
http://labs.idefense.com

X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright (c) 2005 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
email customerservice@idefense.com 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.

************************************************************************

MySQL MaxDB Webtool Remote 'If' Stack Overflow Vulnerability

iDEFENSE Security Advisory 04.26.05
www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=236&type=vulnerabilities
April 26, 2005

I. BACKGROUND

MaxDB by MySQL is a re-branded and enhanced version of SAP DB, SAP AG's
open source database. MaxDB is a heavy-duty, SAP-certified open source
database that offers high availability, salability and a comprehensive
feature set. MaxDB complements the MySQL database server, targeted for
large mySAP ERP environments and other applications that require maximum
enterprise-level database functionality.

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in
MySQL MaxDB could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code.

The vulnerabiltiy specifically exists because of a lack of bounds
checking in the WebDAV functionality of the web tool. When an attacker
issues an HTTP request with the unlock method, along with a long "If"
parameter string, a stack-based overflow occurs. The offending code
follows:

WDVH_Bool getIfHeader(sapdbwa_HttpRequestP request,
WDVH_Char *sIf,
WDVH_Int4 len)
{
WDVH_Char *temp1, *temp2, *temp4, *temp5;
WDVH_UInt4 length;
WDVH_Char temp3[WDVH_MAX_IF_HEADER_LEN];

if (request==NULL || sIf==NULL)
return WDVH_False;

strcpy(sIf,"");
temp4 = (char*)sapdbwa_GetHeader(request,"If");
if (temp4 != NULL) {
strcpy(temp3,temp4);

The variable temp3 is a fixed-length stack buffer. The function
sapdbwa_GetHeader() returns the user-supplied value for the "If"
parameter. This user-supplied value is then copied into the fixed-size
buffer using a strcpy() call. Because there is no boundary checking, it
is possible to overflow the stack buffer and overwrite stack memory,
ultimately leading to control of execution flow and execution of
arbitrary code.

III. ANALYSIS

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability could allow remote
attackers to execute code with SYSTEM privileges. Note that the
vulnerability is in the web administration service, which should be
configured to not allow connections from untrusted hosts or listening on

public-facing network interfaces.

IV. DETECTION

iDEFENSE has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in MySQL
MaxDB 7.5.00.23. All versions are suspected vulnerable.

V. WORKAROUND

Filter traffic on TCP port 9999 from untrusted hosts destined for the
MaxDB Webtool server.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

This vulnerability is fixed in MySQL MaxDB 7.5.00.26 which available for
download at:

http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/maxdb/7.5.00.html

VII. CVE INFORMATION

A Mitre Corp. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) number has not
been assigned yet.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

04/25/2005 Initial vendor notification
04/26/2005 Initial vendor response
04/26/2005 Coordinated public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

iDEFENSE Labs is credited with this discovery.

Get paid for vulnerability research
http://www.idefense.com/poi/teams/vcp.jsp

Free tools, research and upcoming events
http://labs.idefense.com

X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright (c) 2005 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
email customerservice@idefense.com 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.
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