oaug connection point 2005copyright ©2005 by john peters, jrpjr, inc.1 securing the internet facing...

OAUG Connection Point 2005 Copyright ©2005 by John Peters, JRPJR, Inc. 1

Securing the Internet Facing

E-Business Suite

John PetersJRPJR, Inc.

[email protected]


• There have been changes to this presentation since the copy was provided to OAUG.

• The most recent revision to both the presentation and white paper are on my web site:http://www.jrpjr.com/

• This information will be repeated at the end of the presentation


• How many of you have an Internet Facing Oracle Application Module?

• Or Considered Buying one?iSupplier Portal iSupportiStore iRecruitmentOracle Sourcing Oracle MarketingiLearning iReceivablesiSurvey TransportationPartner Relationship Management Service

ContractsOracle Learning ManagementOthers???

• How many of you have thought about security?


• General Oracle Applications Security (and why this is not enough)

• Various Systems Configuration Options

• An Optimal Solution at This Time

• Oracle’s Recent Developments in This Area

• External Facing eBusiness Suite Functionality Issues

What you should learn from this presentation:


• Note 189367.1, 06-JAN-2005 Best Practices for Securing the E-Business Suite~ 66 pages in length

*** An excellent starting point ***

• Covers each applications component:– SQL*Net Listener– Database– Applications Tier– eBusiness Suite– Desktop– OS

General Oracle Applications Security


• Note 189367.1, 06-JAN-2005• But leaves many holes

– Does not provide a configuration overview

– Does not adequately address external eBusiness Suite modules

– Just barely touches on OS Issues– Does not address user registration issues– Does not address functional issues

General Oracle Applications Security


Typical OraApps ConfigurationInternal Users Only

• One or more physical servers for each Tier• Typically a router between the servers and the user• Connection between users and servers is typically

non-SSL HTTP:// ( not HTTPS:// )

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier

ApplicationsTier

UserComputers

Router


• SSL encrypts communications between users and the Applications Tier

• Sometimes SOX pushes this as a requirement

• Possibly a 10-15% performance hit• Hardware Accelerators are available

• Probably not required and overkill for internal users running on a switched network

Non-SSL vs SSLFor Internal Users Only


• ‘A Guide to Understanding and Implementing SSL with Oracle Applications 11i’, Note:123718.1, 21-FEB-2005

• This document changes so keep up to date with it

• There are issues associated with some modules which call servlets: – Configurator (even if you are not using it OM calls it for

PTO Kits)– iPayment– Fix requires running a non-SSL web listener

• Expect to spend some dedicated time to get this working, and test, test, test, ….

• Again SSL is probably not required for most sites

SSL ImplementationFor Internal Users Only


Arranged worst to best in terms of security• Example 1

No DMZ, Open Up Firewall• Example 2

DMZ Application Server• Example 3

DMZ Web Cache Server• Example 4

DMZ Web Cache ServerDedicated External Applications Server

• Example 5

Oracle’s Deployment Option 1

OraApps Internet Facing Configurations


Example 1: Non-DMZ Configuration (!!! do not do this !!!)

Drawbacks• With same ports open that internal users use,

internal functionality is exposed to the internet• Without SSL between the Internet User’s Computer

and Applications Tier, the Internet User’s communications can be eave’s dropped on

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier

ApplicationsTier

UserComputers

Router

Internet UserComputers

CorporateFirewall

Corporate NetworkInternet

non-SSL


Example 2: DMZ Application Server Configuration

Benefits• Internet Communication is done through SSL• SSL End Point is not on Internal Applications Tier• Communication between DMZ Applications Tier

and DB Tier are done through SQL*net• DMZ must be compromised for a hacker to get in

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier

ApplicationsTier

UserComputers

Router


CorporateFirewall

DMZ Firewall

DMZApplications

Tier

DMZ Corporate NetworkInternet

SSL

non-SSL


Example 2: DMZ Application Server Configuration

Drawbacks• DMZ Applications Tier exposes too much to a

possible hacker• DMZ Applications Tier must be patched and

monitored• Not currently autoconfig and ad tools supported

(see reverse proxy server later for more info)

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier

ApplicationsTier

UserComputers

Router


CorporateFirewall

DMZ Firewall

DMZApplications

Tier


SSL

non-SSL


Example 3: DMZ Web Cache Server

Benefits• All the benefits of Example 2• Ports are filtered, only http traffic between Internet and

Applications Tier• Minimize software components in DMZ• Only one Applications Tier to patch (no patching on web

cache)• Can change URL, masking the Oracle Application

URLs were https://mysite.com/OA_HTML/URLs can be https://mysite.com/external/

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier

ApplicationsTier

UserComputers

Router


CorporateFirewall

DMZ Firewall


SSL

non-SSL

DMZWeb Cache


Example 3: DMZ Web Cache Server

Drawbacks• Applications Tier still exposes too much to a possible

hacker. • You can deep link to JSP pages if you know their

names.• The JSP pages are suppose to throw errors if deep

linked to without applications login, yeah right.

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier

ApplicationsTier

UserComputers

Router


CorporateFirewall

DMZ Firewall


SSL

non-SSL

DMZWeb Cache


• Web Cache is a component of Oracle iAS 10G (and prior versions)

• Web Cache in my example is installed without Oracle iAS 10G (standalone installation)

• Minimal set of software– No Infrastructure DB– None of the other components of iAS– Perfect for a DMZ deployment– No Applications Patching

• Please refer to the product documentation on OTNOracle Application Server 10g Release 2 (10.1.2)

• Please talk to your Oracle Sales Rep for licensing information.

What is Web Cache


• Web Cache sits between the users and the origin servers (Applications Middle Tier)

• Web Cache stores or caches data into memory based on rules you specify

• The primary purpose is to improve performance of web sites

• Our purpose is to:– Provide an SSL termination point– Change the URL’s served up– Filter the URL’s (not available yet)

• Web Cache can also provide an error page should the Application Tier be down for maintenance

What does Web Cache do?


Example 4: DMZ Web Cache & Dedicated

Apps Tier

Benefits• All the benefits of Example 3.• External Applications Tier with all of the

components not required by the Internet Users removed. Thus preventing deep linking issues.

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier

InternalApplications

Tier

UserComputers

Router


CorporateFirewall

DMZ Firewall


SSL

non-SSL

DMZWeb Cache

ExternalApplications

Tier


Example 4: DMZ Web Cache & Dedicated

Apps Tier

Drawbacks• External Applications Tier not supported by

Oracle Support tools. You have to manually maintain this tier.

(see reverse proxy server later for more info)

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier


Tier

UserComputers

Router


CorporateFirewall

DMZ Firewall


SSL

non-SSL

DMZWeb Cache


Tier


• Eliminates the need for Example 4’s Tweaked External Application Server. (Oracle Supported)

• External Applications Web Server in DMZ will restrict JSPs which are allowed to run

• External Product Teams will supply JSP lists

• Mitigating the “unnecessary code” problem

• Described in Oracle OpenWorld Paper ‘Oracle E-Business Suite Security Management’ by George Buzsaki, VP Applications Technology Products at Oracle

• ‘DMZ Configuration with Oracle E-Business Suite 11i’, Metalink Document 287176.1, April 19, 2005

‘DMZ Reverse Proxy Server’


Example 5: Reverse Proxy & External Apps

Middle Tier Oracle’s Deployment Option 1

Note: 287176.1

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier


Tier

UserComputers

Router


DMZ 1Firewall

DMZ 2 Firewall


SSL

non-SSL

Reverse Proxy


Tier

DMZ 3 Firewall

DMZ


Reverse Proxy and Second Apps Middle Tier

Benefits • Restrict access to a limited set of

responsibilities depending upon the Application Tier the user log’s on to.

• Limited JSPs can be accessed on External Applications Tier, (in development now)

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier


Tier

UserComputers

Router


DMZ 1Firewall

DMZ 2 Firewall


SSL

non-SSL

Reverse Proxy


Tier

DMZ 3 Firewall

DMZ


Reverse Proxy and Second Apps Middle Tier

Drawbacks • Separate External Apps Tier to patch

(can not share APPL_TOP through firewall)• Additional firewall and Server• Still allows deep linking (until JSP filtering released)• Reverse Proxy Server URL filtering not yet implemented• It’s New, support only for 11.5.10

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier


Tier

UserComputers

Router


DMZ 1Firewall

DMZ 2 Firewall


SSL

non-SSL

Reverse Proxy


Tier

DMZ 3 Firewall

DMZ


Other Oracle Configuration Options

• There are two other less secure options listed in document 287176.1

• They basically drop Firewalls and Applications Middle Tiers.

• I am not reviewing them because they are less secure, please refer to the document for more information.


Other Changes in Document 287176.1

• Hierarchy Type– Profile Options used to construct various

URL’s for an E-Business Suite environment.– Profile Options can be set at the Server

Level

• So at the server level you can generate different URL’s for internal and external users.



• Node Trust Level– Profile Option used to set trust level for

each middle tier servers– Three levels supported:

• Administrative• Normal• External

• So at the server level you can set a Trust Level to be restrict user responsibility access



• Responsibility Trust Level– Profile Option to set the Trust Level for each

Responsibility– Same Three Trust Levels supported:

• Administrative• Normal• External

• Result: at the server level you can restrict which responsibilities are accessible to the internal and external users


Other Changes (in development)

• JSP Filtering– External Applications Teams provide a list of

externally required JSP files– Users can customize this file on the external

application server

• Result: Deep linking issue are eliminated

• Plan to spend time testing and verifying JSP’s which are really required externally


Document 287176.1

• This document is definitely a work in process

• Keep an eye on this document for further enhancements and roll out of additional internet security


My Recommendation• If cost, setup and patching time are not

issues go with Example 5, Oracle’s Option 1, Reverse Proxy & External Apps Middle Tier.

• Consider web cache for the Reverse Proxy Server

• If not on 11.5.10 or you can not afford the extra hardware consider my Example 3


My Recommendation

• Go with Oracle’s Deployment Option 1, Reverse Proxy & External Apps Middle Tier

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier


Tier

UserComputers

Router


DMZ 1Firewall

DMZ 2 Firewall


SSL

non-SSL

Reverse Proxy


Tier

DMZ 3 Firewall

DMZ


How does it work (step 1)

• Internet users go to SSL URL:https://mysite.com/external/login.jsp

• Connects using SSL to port 443 of the DMZ Web Cache Server on NIC 1

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier


Tier

UserComputers

Router


DMZ 1Firewall

DMZ 2 Firewall


SSL

non-SSL

Reverse Proxy


Tier

DMZ 3 Firewall

DMZ



• Web Cache reviews URL request to see if page/data is cached in memory

• If so it serves up page/data

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier


Tier

UserComputers

Router


DMZ 1Firewall

DMZ 2 Firewall


SSL

non-SSL

Reverse Proxy


Tier

DMZ 3 Firewall

DMZ



• Web Cache sends request out to the Application Tier (Origin Server) https://myserver.com:8000/OA_HTML/login.jsp

• Communication is through NIC 2 using SSL• The External Applications Tier is the SSL termination point• Application Tier responds, Web Cache relays page/data to the Internet

User

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier


Tier

UserComputers

Router


DMZ 1Firewall

DMZ 2 Firewall


SSL

non-SSL

Reverse Proxy


Tier

DMZ 3 Firewall

DMZ


• What is the configuration for these new DMZ servers in the Oracle Applications environment?

Reverse Proxy & External Apps Tier


• My recommendation is a small server like:– Dell PowerEdge 2850 or 1850– 2 CPU server – 4GB of RAM– Dual NICs

• Run Linux on this Server

DMZ Server Hardware


• Dual NIC’s allow us to configure them– One NIC Internet Facing– One NIC Application Tier Facing

• We are effectively using this server to route traffic from one network to the other

DMZ Server NIC Configuration


• Reinstall the factory installed OS• Install only the essential

components– Compilers– Kernal Source– X Windows/GNOME

• Install an intrusion detection product like TripWire

Hardening the Linux OS


• Creates a database of files on your server storing information like:Inode number, Multiple Checksums, File Size, File

Permission, File Ownership, etc.• You create the Policy file describing what directories/files to

track• Reports can be run periodically to tell you if something

changed and are sent via email• TripWire DB and Policy Files are stored on another

centralized server• This takes a while to setup and change the policy file to keep

the noise to a minimum• Was an Open Source product, included on older Linux

distributions. Now is commercial, www.tripwire.com

TripWire


• OS Security issues don’t just exist for Microsoft products

• Subscribe to your Linux vendor’s patching/support service

• Emails will alert you when fixes are available and are tailored to your install

• The automated tools for patching the OS are fairly easy to use

• Patch TEST first, then patch PROD

Keep Linux Patched


Don’t forget the TEST instance

PROD

TEST

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier


Tier

UserComputers

Router


DMZ 1Firewall

DMZ 2 Firewall


SSL

non-SSL

Reverse Proxy


Tier

DMZ 3 Firewall

DMZ

SAN DeviceDB

DatabaseTier


Tier

UserComputers

Router


DMZ 1Firewall

DMZ 2 Firewall


SSL

non-SSL

Reverse Proxy


Tier

DMZ 3 Firewall

DMZ


• We have discussed configuration issue, now lets cover some of the functionality issues.

Functionality Issues


• Down time for patching is now a bigger deal with External Users

• Web Cache can serve up “System Down For Maintenance” messages to External Users, rather than no server found browser errors

• What was 6am to 6pm support, now turns into 24x7

• Who do external users contact for support?

Support Issues


• All External Facing eBusiness Suite Applications utilize FND_USER

• All of these non-company resources have accounts on your system– iStore Users– iReceivables Users– iSupplier Users– iRecruitment Users

User Registration Issues


• Come up with a Userid Standard for both classes of users:– Internal Users– External Users

• Internal Users<first name initial><last name><windows login>

jsmith

• External Users<email address>

[email protected]

How to know who is who


• They are different• Internal and External differences

– Password aging– Handling of Password reset requests– Responsibility requests– Responsibility verifications– End date

• Also eBusiness Suite Record History is instantly visible and identifiable.

Internal vs External Users


Example:• iStore’s user registration page inserts

FND_USER records– User records can not be purged– Internal and External Users are mixed

together(use a convention of email address for external users)

– They are routed for approval but if denied they are unusable forever

– Approval process is really insufficient for most business cases

User Registration Page Issues


• iStore’s user registration page requests the Party Number from the customer registering.– How many customers know they are 123456– If they enter 123465 they are linked to a

completely different customer– Once incorrectly linked it is almost

impossible to correct in CRM, FND_USER, TCA

– FND_USER record is lost for further use

User Registration Page Issues (cont.)


• Soution:– Create a custom form and table – External userids request are stored in the

custom table for review– Data is reviewed and if okay entered by

internal resources into the Oracle Applications registration processes to ensure it’s accuracy

• Denial of Service attacks will fill this custom table which we can delete records from. This object can be created with no redo log actions to minimize impact on archive logs if required.

User Registration Page Issues (cont.)


• Keep an eye on what your external users can do to your Oracle Applications data.

• Extensively review all forms for hidden functionality, a simple link can open up a whole world of functionality you did not know about.

External User Data Changes


Example:• iStore allows external users (customers)

to modify addresses and contacts

• How many companies have customer master issues around addresses and contacts with just Internal Users making changes?

• Now your customers can do what ever they want, to your customer master.

External User Data Changes


• External Facing eBusiness Suite modules bring Security issues to light

• You might ask, Why do this to yourself?

• There are legitimate business reasons to use External Facing eBusiness Suite modules

• Just go into them with your eyes wide open and an understanding of what you are getting into

Summary


• Note:189367.1, 06-JAN-2005 Best Practices for Securing the E-Business Suite

• Note:287176.1, 19-APR-2005

DMZ Configuration with Oracle E-Business Suite 11i

• Note:243324.1, 08-JUL-2003 Securing Oracle E-Business Suite for Internet Access by Suppliers

• Note:229335.1, 19-MAY-2004 Best Practices for Securing Oracle E-Business Suite for Internet Access

Additional References


• Linux Security Cookbook– by Daniel J. Barrett, Richard E. Silverman, Robert G.

Byrnes O'Reilly

• Real World Linux Security: Intrusion Prevention, Detection and Recovery– by Bob Toxen

Prentice Hall PTR

Additional Book References


• My contact information:

John [email protected] http://www.jrpjr.com

• Additional reference papers can be found at:http://www.norcaloaug.orghttp://www.jrpjr.com

oaug connection point 2005copyright ©2005 by john peters, jrpjr, inc.1 securing the internet facing...

Documents

oaug connection point

presentation slide

user connection

applications component

excellent starting point

nonssl http

os issues

nonssl web listener