CVE-2004-0795 in DB2 Universal Database
Summary
by MITRE
DB2 8.1 remote command server (DB2RCMD.EXE) executes the db2rcmdc.exe program as the db2admin administrator, which allows local users to gain privileges via the DB2REMOTECMD named pipe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0795 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within IBM Db2 8.1 database management system, specifically affecting the remote command server component known as DB2RCMD.EXE. This issue stems from improper privilege handling within the database administration architecture, where the remote command server executes the db2rcmdc.exe program with elevated administrative privileges under the db2admin account. The vulnerability manifests through the DB2REMOTECMD named pipe mechanism, which serves as a communication channel between remote clients and the database server's command execution interface. The flaw creates a pathway for local attackers to exploit the elevated privileges of the db2admin account through manipulation of the named pipe communication channel.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local user gains access to the system and leverages the named pipe DB2REMOTECMD to execute malicious commands through the db2rcmdc.exe process. This process runs with administrative privileges, effectively allowing the attacker to perform operations that should be restricted to authorized database administrators only. The vulnerability exists because the system does not properly validate or restrict access to the named pipe, nor does it implement adequate authentication mechanisms to ensure that only legitimate administrative commands can be executed through this interface. This represents a classic case of insufficient privilege separation and inadequate access controls within the database server's remote execution framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching within database environments running IBM Db2 8.1. Local users who can access the system can escalate their privileges to the db2admin level, gaining complete administrative control over the database server. This includes the ability to modify database configurations, access sensitive data, create or delete database objects, and potentially compromise the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Db2 8.1 for critical data management, as it provides a direct path to database compromise that could lead to data breaches, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local system access, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network-based security measures.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches and updates that address the privilege escalation flaw in the remote command server. System administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring of the DB2REMOTECMD named pipe to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes inadequate privileges and permissions in software systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain unauthorized access. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of privilege separation and proper access control implementation within database server architectures, as outlined in security frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards for information security management.