CVE-2004-0253 in Cloudscape
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Cloudscape 5.1 running jdk 1.4.2_03 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary programs or cause a denial of service via certain SQL code, possibly due to a SQL injection vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0253 affects IBM Cloudscape 5.1 database management system when operating with JDK 1.4.2_03, presenting a significant security risk that could enable remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions. This issue stems from insufficient input validation within the SQL processing mechanisms of the database engine, creating an avenue for malicious SQL code injection that bypasses normal security controls. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes certain SQL statements that contain crafted payloads designed to exploit the underlying database architecture.
The technical flaw resides in the improper handling of SQL input parameters within IBM Cloudscape's query execution engine, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that get executed with the privileges of the database user. This SQL injection vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where database systems are accessible over the internet. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data access as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary system commands, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-89 SQL injection weakness, where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the database, modify or delete critical information, and execute malicious code on the affected system. A successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, data loss, or service disruption that affects business operations and potentially violates regulatory compliance requirements. Organizations running IBM Cloudscape 5.1 with the vulnerable JDK version face significant risk of unauthorized data access and system manipulation, particularly in environments where database systems are exposed to untrusted network traffic. The vulnerability also creates potential for lateral movement within network infrastructure if the database system has elevated privileges or access to other critical systems.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of the affected IBM Cloudscape installation with the vendor-provided security updates or upgrading to a supported version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to database systems and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious SQL injection attempts. Additionally, input validation should be strengthened at all application layers, and proper parameterized queries should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications, and security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol, specifically targeting database communication protocols and demonstrating the importance of secure coding practices in database applications.