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Oracle RDBMS Patching

Oracle RDBMS Patching. Brian Hitchcock OCP 8, 8i, 9i DBA Sun Microsystems brian.hitchcock@sun.com brhora@aol.com. NoCOUG. Brian Hitchcock May 6, 2004. Page 1. Why Patch the RDBMS?. To upgrade For example 8.1.7.0 to 8.1.7.4 One-off patch Fix a specific bug Security patches

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Oracle RDBMS Patching

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  1. Oracle RDBMS Patching Brian HitchcockOCP 8, 8i, 9i DBA Sun Microsystems brian.hitchcock@sun.com brhora@aol.com NoCOUG Brian Hitchcock May 6, 2004 Page 1

  2. Why Patch the RDBMS? • To upgrade • For example 8.1.7.0 to 8.1.7.4 • One-off patch • Fix a specific bug • Security patches • Fix specific security issues for specific products • This is the focus here… • But notice that I end up patching to 8.1.7.4 as well…

  3. Patching In General • Is becoming a bigger issue • More patches more often • More patches for more products • Think this is bad? • Oracle apps patching makes this look easy • Apps 11i patching is more complex • Many more modules, interactions

  4. Patching In General • And, more fun… • No way to back out of a patch • In general • Specific patches may say you can deinstall… • But what if that patch required 8.1.7.4? • Once applied, only one way to go back… • Full restore of ORACLE_HOME from backup • No way to tell what patch level a database is at • Other than version such as 8.1.7.4 • You must manually keep track of patches applied

  5. Patching In General • How often do you patch? • Every time a new security patch is available? • Quarterly? • Security risk until latest patch(es) applied? • Testing for each patch? • For bug fix patch, testing is clear • For other types of patches • None? • Complete? • In between?

  6. Patch Testing Details • What is your policy? • Apply all needed patches, test? • Apply one patch and test? • If testing shows problems, what to do? • Need to test • Your app software • Vendor app software • OS issues • Security, chroot, other software components

  7. How Do You Know…? • What patch(es) do you need to apply? • Security alerts from Oracle • Must review each one manually • Metalink • Your environment has hit a specific bug • Need specific functionality • Feature isn’t available until 9.2.0.4

  8. How Do You Know…? • For security patches • Oracle sends out security alerts • Each alert applies to specific products • Your site doesn’t need all of them • No source for a single list of which patches you need • I like to file a TAR to confirm the patches I need • Some patches require other patches • Fun, fun, fun!

  9. Example, for 8.1.7.0 • Get current with all security alerts • Political • Nothing was done for a long time • A manager read about a recent oracle alert • Suddenly we have to apply lots of patches

  10. Why Discuss 8.1.7.0? • 8.1.7.0 is not cool! • Cool DBAs only talk about 10g! • But real world has 8.1.7.X databases • The older a db version becomes the more patches you will need to stay current • Same issues are happening for 9i • Will happen for 10g • Process is the same, starting version doesn’t matter

  11. Finding Security Alerts • Metalink • FAQ for security alerts • Doc id 237007.1 • Item I, generic questions • Number 10, what security patches do I need for my database? • Points to number 13, security patch matrix • 8.1.7.4 doesn’t need patches below #48 • 9.2.0.4 doesn’t need patches below #59 • When I did this I needed 48, 49, 50, 51, 54 • Security alert #62 hadn’t been issued at that time • Today I would need #62 as well…

  12. Finding Security Alerts • FAQ for security alerts (cont’d) • Item II, list of security alerts and notes • Lists security alerts #18 through #66 • Review each security alert for patch # • Security alert #66 is most recent as of today • Check Metalink frequently • 237007.1 changed may 07, 2004 while I was creating the previous slide • Note that more products means more patches • Database plus app server etc.

  13. Security Alerts • Listing of security alerts from doc id 237007.1 II. List of Security Alerts and Notes (since Nov 2001) II.1. Security Alerts: Doc 265308.1 Security Alert #66: Vulnerabilities in Oracle Application Server Web Cache Doc 258997.1 Security Alert #65: Security Vulnerability in Oracle9i Application and Database Servers Doc 263508.1 Security Alert #64: Buffer Overflow in Oracle9i Database Server Doc 263509.1 Security Alert #63: Security Vulnerabilities in Oracle9i Lite Doc 258996.1 Security Alert #62: SSL Update for CERT CA-2003-26 and older SSL issues Doc 253982.1 Security Alert #61: SQL Injection Vulnerability in Oracle9i Application Server Doc 252706.1 Security Alert #60: Unauthorized Access to Restricted Content in Oracle Files Doc 251910.1 Security Alert #59: Buffer Overflow in Oracle Binaries Doc 246202.1 Security Alert #58: Buffer Overflow in the XML Database of Oracle9i Database Server Doc 244523.1 Security Alert #57: Buffer Overflows in EXTPROC of Oracle Database Server Doc 244335.1 Security Alert #56: Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in Oracle E-Business Suite Doc 244294.1 Security Alert #55: Unauthorized Disclosure of Information in Oracle E-Business Suite Doc 237172.1 Security Alert #54: Buffer Overflow in Oracle Net Services for Oracle Database Server Doc 235262.1 Security Alert #53: Report Review Agent (RRA/FNDFS) Vulnerability in Oracle E-Business Suite Doc 229288.1 Security Alert #52: Two Vulnerabilities in Oracle9i Application Server Doc 229287.1 Security Alert #51: Buffer Overflow in the Oracle Executable of Oracle Database Server Doc 229286.1 Security Alert #50: Buffer Overflow in Oracle Database

  14. Security Alerts Doc 229285.1 Security Alert #49: Buffer Overflow in Oracle Database Doc 229284.1 Security Alert #48: Buffer Overflow in Oracle Database Doc 224215.1 Security Alert #47: Vulnerabilities in Oracle 9i Application Server Doc 216775.1 Security Alert #46: Buffer Overflow in iSQL*Plus (Oracle9i Database Server) Doc 214356.1 Security Alert #45: Security Release of Apache 1.3.27 Doc 213415.1 Security Alert #44: Unauthorized Access Vulnerability in the Oracle E-Business Doc 213413.1 Security Alert #43: Oracle9i Application Server - Web Cache Administration Tool Crash on Malformed Request Doc 213411.1 Security Alert #42: Security Vulnerability in Oracle Net Doc 207272.1 Security Alert #41: Oracle9i Application Server Oracle Java Server Page Demos Vulnerability Doc 207269.1 Security Alert #40: Oracle Net Listener Vulnerabilities Doc 207271.1 Security Alert #39: Oracle9i Application Server - Web Cache Administrator Password Not Encrypted Doc 207268.1 Security Alert #38: Security vulnerability in Oracle Net Doc 206034.1 Security Alert #37: OpenSSL Security Vulnerability Doc 200873.1 Security Alert #36: Security Vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server of Oracle9iAS Doc 198531.1 Security Alert #35: Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in Oracle9iAS Reports Doc 198544.1 Security Alert #34: Security Vulnerability in Oracle Net (Oracle9i Database Server) Doc 185074.1 Security Alert #33: User Privileges Vulnerability in Oracle9i Database Server Doc 185073.1 Security Alert #32: Unauthorized Access Vulnerability in the Oracle E-Business Suite Doc 182244.1 Security Alert #31: Oracle Configurator Security Issue: Potential Cross-site Scripting Attacks Doc 183556.1 Security Alert #30: SNMP Vulnerability in Oracle Enterprise Manager, Master_Peer Agent Doc 175429.1 Security Alert #29: ALERT: Oracle PL/SQL extproc in Oracle 9i, Oracle 8i and Oracle8 Database

  15. Security Alerts Doc 175428.1 Security Alert #28: Vulnerabilities in Oracle mod_plsql and JSP in Oracle 9iAS V1.0.2.x Doc 169628.1 Security Alert #27: Vulnerabilities in Oracle 9i Application Server Web Cache Doc 168862.1 Security Alert #26: Potential DoS Vulnerability in Oracle9i Application Server Doc 168863.1 Security Alert #25: Vulnerabilities in MODPLSQL No Doc Security Alert #24: Skipped Multiple Doc (Security Alert #23 is split into 3 documents on MetaLink) Doc 167001.1 Security Alert #23: Oracle Home Environment Variable Buffer Overflow Doc 167004.1 Security Alert #23: CHOWN Path Environment Variable Vulnerability Doc 167007.1 Security Alert #23: Oracle Home Environment Variable Validation Vulnerability Doc 166869.1 Security Alert #22: Security Implications of the Oracle9iAS v.1.0.2.2 Default SOAP Configuration Doc 163726.1 Security Alert #21: Oracle Label Security Mandatory Security Patch Doc 163727.1 Security Alert #20: Oracle File Overwrite Security Vulnerability Doc 163728.1 Security Alert #19: Oracle Trace Collection Security Vulnerability Doc 163729.1 Security Alert #18: Oracle9iAS Web Cache Overflow Vulnerability

  16. Patches Needed • For security alerts • 48, 49, 50, 51, 54 • Review each alert to find needed patch info • Need patches • 2376472 (8.1.7.4) • 2642117 (alert 48) 8.1.7.4 required • 2642267 (alert 49) 8.1.7.0 required • 2642439 (alert 50) 8.1.7.0 required • 2620726 (alert 51) 8.1.7.4 required • 2784635 (alert 54) 8.1.7.4 required

  17. Patches Needed • Create stage directory for each patch • Ftp from oracle • Patches require patches • To apply some of these security patches • You must be at 8.1.7.4 • Patch to 8.1.7.4 before applying these patches • Note that I had no plan to patch to 8.1.7.4 • One patch leads to other patches…

  18. Getting Patches • Metalink • Patches • Simple Search • Enter specific patch number • Specify platform • Download • Patch zip file • Readme file

  19. Getting Patches • What is patch number for 8.1.7.4 patch? • Should be simple to find… • Metalink • Patches • Simple search • Product: Oracle Database Family • Release: 8.1.7 • Patch type: Patchset/Minipack • Platform: Solaris Sparc 32-bit • 24 results • Correct patch? • 2376472 8.1.7.4 Patch set for oracle data server

  20. Patching Process • What does it take to apply a patch? • Dot release • 8.1.7.4 • Oracle installer (OUI) • One-off, security patches • README shows steps to install patch • Example, security patch • Shutdown database, listener • Execute patch.sh supplied as part of patch

  21. Patching Process • Production • Must backup ORACLE_HOME • Full backup of database • Document the db • This will come up later • I use dbdoc script, see Managing Multiple Databases… on NoCOUG website • If patch fails • Restore ORACLE_HOME from backup

  22. Patching Process • Development • Full export • Document the db • If patch fails • Reinstall Oracle software • Import export • However, • If practicing prod patching on dev db • Should practice the prod db process

  23. Fresh Install? • Before creating any databases • Install Oracle software • Apply all needed patches • Much quicker • Many post patch steps only apply if database already exists

  24. Patch Install Steps • Can be simple • Can be complex • Example, 8.1.7.4 patch • May require use of Oracle Installer • May require use of OUI that is part of the patch • Patch may require certain patch level • Example, patch can only be applied to 8.1.7.4 • You must review the README file for each patch • Script the steps for each patch

  25. Cases • 1) OraInventory not in place • 2) Installer not in place • 3) 64-bit oracle • 4) chroot • 5) not following instructions

  26. Case1 -- OraInventory • Existing 8.1.7.0 database • Patch to latest security alert • At the time, this was security alert 54 • Downloaded all needed patches • 8.1.7.4 • 2642117 (alert 48) • 2642267 (alert 49) • 2642439 (alert 50) • 2620726 (alert 51) • 2784635 (alert 54)

  27. Case 1 -- OraInventory • Review 8.1.7.4 readme • Existing database • Many post patch tasks • Before applying 8.1.7.4 • Backup db • Shutdown db • Shutdown listener

  28. Case 1 -- OraInventory • Script the steps • Patch readme file README_8174.html • How to install this patch set • Steps 6 through 18 • Oracle Label Security • Disabling system triggers • Check JIS • Catalog.sql, catproc.sql • Set 10520 trace • Java objects • Enable system triggers • Recompile invalid objects

  29. Case 1 -- OraInventory • Start installer • Installer not installed • Find original cpio files from 8.1.7.0 install • Run installer (OUI) from there • Script inputs for installer • File locations • Source • Destination • UNIX group name

  30. Case 1 -- OraInventory • And now? • Dependencies • There are no patches that need to be applied from the patch set Oracle 8i 8.1.7.4.0 • Huh? • Off to Metalink • Doc ID 115236.1 • OraInventory is missing

  31. Case 1 -- OraInventory • What is OraInventory? • Documents exactly what was installed • Created as part of software installation • Created by the installer • What does it do? • When installing a patch • Installer checks OraInventory • Verifies that patch should be applied • Example, 8.1.7.4 patch on 8.1.7.0 Oracle_home

  32. Case 1 -- OraInventory • Where does it live? • Installer creates in Oracle_base • (my experience) • What happened here? • oraInventory didn’t exist • Installer couldn’t tell what had been installed • Installer decided it couldn’t install anything • No inventory, can’t apply any patches

  33. Case 1 -- OraInventory • Ok, but what caused this? • To save time, copy existing oracle installation • Tar up oracle_home • Move to new machine • Untar • Lovingly referred to as “Tar&Toss” • my manager came up with that • This isn’t supported by Oracle • This saves time initially • Wastes time later

  34. Case 1 -- OraInventory • OK, that’s weird, but what now? • How to re-create the inventory? • There is only one way • Reinstall the Oracle software • In this case, a full reinstall of 8.1.7.0 • Reinstall will over-write oracle_home • Anything you can’t lose? • Tnsnames.ora, password file • Don’t place anything of your own in oracle_home • Document your database before patching

  35. Case 1 -- OraInventory • How to be sure • Nothing unique in oracle_home? • Can’t be sure • Make backup • I had enough disk space • Copy oracle_home to another filesystem • Now need to reinstall 8.1.7.0 • Disk space to stage the software?

  36. Case 1 -- OraInventory • After software reinstalled • Install 8.1.7.4 patch • Works this time! • Apply the 5 patches in order • Startup the database • Test application • Everyone is happy! • But this took much longer than we planned

  37. Case 2 -- Installer Not In Place • Applying same patches to another machine • Installer not installed • Base software (8.1.7.0) not on disk • Not enough disk space for software CD image • Have to free up disk space just to • Copy the CD image to get the installer on disk • Proceed with the patching process • Saves disk space in the short term • Wastes time later

  38. Case 3 - 64-bit Oracle • Different scenario • No security patches • Simple patch from 8.1.7.0 to 8.1.7.4 • No problem • Stage the 8.1.7.4 patch to the db machine • Downtime for patching is almost here • Reviewing dbdoc output • Select * from v$version shows • Oracle 8i … - 64bit Production

  39. Case 3 - 64-bit Oracle • 64-bit Oracle? • This is a development db • Production is 32-bit • I assumed dev would be 32-bit • I staged the 32-bit 8.1.7.4 patch • 20 minutes to • Download 64-bit patch from Oracle web site • Check README for 64-bit, same as 32-bit • Calm down • No one can explain why…

  40. Case 4 -- chroot • Yet another environment • All set to apply patches • Shutdown database, listener • Start installer • Can’t display OUI GUI back to my workstation • Chroot • Removes many OS libraries • Have to manually identify which are needed • Copy from another system

  41. Case 5 – Complete the Patch • User calls • Dev db doesn’t work • Error is ‘blah blah blah’ • Metalink • Error seen when patch partially applied • Call user • “Did you apply a patch?” • “Yes” • “Did you complete all the post patch steps?” • “Oh, umh, ok, thanks!” • Didn’t hear from the user again

  42. Lessons Learned • Verify • OraInventory exists • If not, enough disk space to backup oracle_home? • Installer is installed • If not, disk space for source CDs? • Correct patch(es) • 32-bit versus 64-bit • Installer GUI can display to your workstation • Finish all patch install steps • Document this

  43. Lessons Learned • For a new install • Oracle_home not a top level directory • Oracle_base /u01/app/oracle • Oracle_home $ORACLE_BASE/product/<version> • Oracle_home /u01/app/oracle/product/8.1.7.0 • Install the installer • A 10 minute patch can become a 5 hour mess • Verify things before the scheduled patch time • Document all the steps • Takes time the first time • Saves time on all the other servers • Saves time when you have to redo things

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