CVE-2001-0052 in DB2 Universal Database
Summary
by MITRE
IBM DB2 Universal Database version 6.1 allows users to cause a denial of service via a malformed query.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0052 affects IBM DB2 Universal Database version 6.1 and represents a significant denial of service weakness that can be exploited by authenticated users. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the database query processing engine, specifically when handling malformed SQL queries. The flaw allows an attacker with valid database credentials to submit specially crafted queries that trigger unexpected behavior in the database server, ultimately leading to service disruption. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an insufficient input validation issue, where the system fails to properly validate the structure and content of user-supplied data before processing it. This particular weakness in DB2 version 6.1 demonstrates a critical gap in the database's query parser that does not adequately sanitize or reject malformed input before attempting execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a user submits a query that contains malformed syntax or unexpected data structures that the DB2 parser cannot properly handle. The database engine attempts to process the malformed query without sufficient error handling or input validation, causing the system to crash or become unresponsive. This behavior constitutes a classic denial of service scenario where legitimate database operations are disrupted, and the service becomes unavailable to authorized users. The vulnerability affects the database server's stability and reliability, potentially causing extended downtime that impacts business operations and data availability. From an operational perspective, this weakness can be particularly dangerous in production environments where database uptime is critical for application functionality and user access.
The impact of CVE-2001-0052 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect database integrity and system availability. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause the DB2 server process to terminate unexpectedly or enter a state where it cannot process additional queries, effectively rendering the database service unusable until manual intervention or system restart occurs. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which involves network denial of service attacks, though in this case the attack vector is through database query manipulation rather than network-based disruption. Organizations using DB2 version 6.1 face significant operational risks including potential data loss, extended downtime, and compromised service availability that can impact downstream applications and business processes depending on database connectivity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and implementation of input validation controls. The most effective solution involves upgrading to a patched version of IBM DB2 Universal Database that addresses the malformed query handling issue. Organizations should implement robust query validation mechanisms at the application level to filter out potentially malicious or malformed input before it reaches the database engine. Database administrators should also consider implementing connection limits and query timeouts to prevent exploitation attempts from consuming excessive system resources. Additional defensive measures include monitoring database logs for unusual query patterns, implementing proper access controls to limit database user privileges, and establishing incident response procedures for handling denial of service events. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current database software versions and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in database systems.