CVE-2003-1049 in DB2 Universal Database
Summary
by MITRE
IBM DB2 Universal Database 7 before FixPak 12 creates certain DMS directories with insecure permissions (777), which allows local users to modify or delete certain DB2 files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1049 represents a critical security flaw in IBM DB2 Universal Database version 7 prior to FixPak 12. This issue stems from the database management system's improper handling of directory permissions during the installation and initialization processes. The flaw specifically affects Database Management System (DMS) directories that are created with overly permissive Unix file permissions set to 777, which grants read, write, and execute privileges to all users on the system. This configuration creates a significant security risk by allowing any local user to gain unauthorized access to critical database components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the creation of DMS directories with world-writable permissions, which violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control. When DB2 initializes its database environment, it generates specific directories to store database files, logs, and configuration data. These directories are created without proper permission restrictions, enabling local attackers to manipulate the database files directly through the file system. The 777 permission setting essentially eliminates any form of access control, making these directories completely accessible to all users and processes running on the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially catastrophic data compromise scenarios. Local users with access to the system can modify database files, delete critical database components, or even inject malicious code into the database environment. This creates opportunities for data corruption, unauthorized data modification, and potential privilege escalation attacks that could affect the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to compromise the integrity of the database without requiring network access or sophisticated attack techniques, making it exploitable through simple local system access.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which classifies the improper assignment of permissions to critical system resources. The vulnerability also aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1499: Endpoint Denial of Service, as it can be leveraged to disrupt database operations or gain elevated privileges. Organizations running affected DB2 versions face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where multiple users have local access to database servers. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper permission management in database security and highlights the need for comprehensive security auditing of database installation processes.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include applying IBM FixPak 12 or later versions that address the insecure directory permission issue. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive permission audits of existing DB2 installations to identify and correct any directories with overly permissive settings. Additional protective measures include implementing proper access controls, monitoring directory changes, and conducting regular security assessments of database environments. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and file modifications that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should include not only patching the software but also reviewing and correcting existing database configurations to ensure that future installations properly implement secure permission settings.