CVE-2003-0281 in SQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Firebird 1.0.2 and other versions before 1.5, and possibly other products that use the InterBase codebase, allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long INTERBASE environment variable when calling (1) gds_inet_server, (2) gds_lock_mgr, or (3) gds_drop.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0281 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Firebird database system and its underlying InterBase codebase. This security weakness affects Firebird versions 1.0.2 and earlier, as well as other software products that utilize the InterBase codebase, making it a widespread concern across multiple database implementations. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes a lengthy INTERBASE environment variable during the execution of three critical functions: gds_inet_server, gds_lock_mgr, and gds_drop. These functions serve as essential components for network server operations, lock management, and database drop operations respectively, making the attack surface particularly concerning for database administrators and system operators.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs due to inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the INTERBASE environment variable processing code. When a local attacker provides an excessively long string as the INTERBASE environment variable value, the system fails to properly validate the input length before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected process. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation vector since it requires local system access but can be leveraged to gain elevated privileges. According to CWE guidelines, this represents a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a fundamental memory safety issue that has been the root cause of numerous security incidents throughout the computing industry.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can be exploited to compromise the entire database server environment and potentially the underlying operating system. Local attackers who can manipulate the INTERBASE environment variable can leverage this weakness to execute malicious code, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or denial of service conditions. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate system operations that invoke the vulnerable functions, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems. Organizations running affected Firebird versions face significant risk, as database servers are often critical infrastructure components that require high availability and security guarantees. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and execution through environment variables, demonstrating how seemingly innocuous configuration elements can become attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate software updates to Firebird version 1.5 or later, where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. System administrators should also implement environment variable restrictions and monitoring to prevent unauthorized modification of critical environment variables. Additional defensive measures include restricting local user access to database server processes, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, and conducting regular security audits of environment variable configurations. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and access controls to limit potential exploitation paths, while maintaining comprehensive logging of system calls and environment variable modifications for incident response purposes. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security updates and proper code review practices in preventing memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution in critical system components.