Testing for DB Listener (OWASP-CM-002)

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OWASP Testing Guide v2 Table of Contents

Brief Summary

The Data base listener is a network daemon unique to Oracle databases. It waits for connection requests from remote clients. This daemon can be compromised and hence affect the availability of the database.

Description of the Issue

The DB listener is the entry point for remote connections to an Oracle database. It listens for connection requests and handles them accordingly. The listener by default listens on port 1521, it is good practice to change the listener from this port to another arbitary port number.
If this listener is "turned off" remote acess to the database is not possible. If this is the case ones application would fail also creating a denial of service attack.
Potential areas of attack:

• Stop the Listener - Hence creating a DoS attack.
• Set a password and prevent others from controlling the Listener - Hijack the DB.
• Write trace and log files to any file accessible to the process owner of tnslnsr (usually Oracle) - Possible information leakage.
• Obtain detailed information on the Listener, database, and application configuration.

Black Box testing and example

Testing for Topic X vulnerabilities:
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Result Expected:
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Gray Box testing and example

Testing for Topic X vulnerabilities:
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Result Expected:
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References

Whitepapers
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Tools
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OWASP Testing Guide v2

Here is the OWASP Testing Guide v2 Table of Contents