CVE-2003-0580 in U2 Universe
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in uvadmsh in IBM U2 UniVerse 10.0.0.9 and earlier allows the uvadm user to execute arbitrary code via a long -uv.install command line argument.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0580 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within IBM U2 UniVerse database management system version 10.0.0.9 and earlier releases. This issue specifically affects the uvadmsh component which serves as a command-line utility for administrative tasks within the UniVerse environment. The buffer overflow occurs when processing command line arguments, particularly the -uv.install parameter, which is designed to handle installation-related commands for the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the uvadmsh utility. When a malicious user supplies an excessively long argument to the -uv.install parameter, the application fails to properly validate the length of the input data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses and control data structures. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets a utility that runs with elevated privileges, specifically the uvadm user account which typically possesses administrative rights within the UniVerse system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to systems running affected versions of IBM U2 UniVerse as it enables privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. An attacker who can successfully exploit this buffer overflow can gain complete control over the affected system, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, and further lateral movement within the network. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise as UniVerse databases often contain sensitive business and financial information, making successful exploitation particularly damaging to organizations. The vulnerability also aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and execution techniques, specifically targeting the use of command-line interfaces and administrative utilities.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of vendor patches and updates from IBM, as the company would have released security fixes addressing the buffer overflow in subsequent versions of UniVerse. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative utilities and enforce principle of least privilege for uvadm user accounts. Additional mitigations include input validation controls, monitoring for suspicious command-line arguments, and regular security assessments of database management systems. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices as outlined in CWE-121, which specifically addresses buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to mitigate potential damage from successful attacks.