The DIRECTORY objects in Oracle 8i through Oracle 10g contain the location of a specific operating system directory, which allows users with read privileges to a DIRECTORY object to obtain sensitive information.
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/18947
http://www.petefinnigan.com/directory_traversal.pdf
http://www.oracle.com/technology/deploy/security/pdf/cpu-jan-2005_advisory.pdf