CVE-2001-0051 in DB2 Universal Database
Summary
by MITRE
IBM DB2 Universal Database version 6.1 creates an account with a default user name and password, which allows remote attackers to gain access to the databasse.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
IBM DB2 Universal Database version 6.1 contains a critical security flaw that stems from improper default configuration practices, creating a persistent vulnerability that enables unauthorized remote access. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure default credentials as classified by CWE-798, where the system initializes with a well-known username and password combination that remains unchanged in production environments. The flaw represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and default security configuration, allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms without requiring additional exploitation techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the database server's initialization process where it automatically creates administrative accounts with predictable credentials. These default accounts are typically created with elevated privileges and remain active unless explicitly disabled or modified by system administrators. Attackers can leverage this weakness by simply connecting to the database service using the known default username and password combination, gaining immediate access to sensitive data and database management capabilities. This represents a classic privilege escalation vector that can be exploited from any network location where the database service is accessible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with comprehensive database administrative privileges that can be used for data exfiltration, manipulation, or destruction. Once compromised, these accounts can be used to modify database schemas, extract confidential information, create backdoor accounts, or perform other malicious activities that compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the entire database system. The vulnerability affects organizations that fail to properly secure their database installations during initial deployment, leaving them exposed to automated scanning and exploitation by threat actors.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive remediation strategies that include disabling default accounts, enforcing strong password policies, and conducting regular security assessments of database configurations. System administrators must ensure that default accounts are either deleted or have their passwords changed to strong, unique values immediately upon installation. The recommended mitigation approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defense in depth principles, emphasizing configuration hardening and access control enforcement. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify any remaining default accounts or weak configurations that could provide similar attack vectors. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to database services only to authorized systems and users, reducing the attack surface and limiting the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.