CVE-2004-2043 in Interbase
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ibserver for Firebird Database 1.0 and other versions before 1.5, and possibly other products that use the InterBase codebase, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long database name, as demonstrated using the gsec command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2043 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ibserver component of Firebird Database versions 1.0 and earlier, as well as other software products derived from the InterBase codebase. This security weakness specifically affects systems where the gsec command is utilized for database administration tasks. The flaw manifests when the server processes database names that exceed predetermined buffer limits, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt service availability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the ibserver daemon, which fails to properly sanitize database name parameters before processing them in memory. When an attacker submits a database name exceeding the allocated buffer space, the server's memory management routines become corrupted, leading to unpredictable behavior and eventual system crash. This particular buffer overflow affects the server's ability to handle authentication and administrative commands, particularly those involving database naming conventions. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code or cause system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can compromise the entire database server infrastructure. Remote attackers capable of connecting to the ibserver process can trigger crashes that may result in complete service unavailability, data loss, or system instability that requires manual intervention to restore. The gsec command serves as the primary attack vector, making it particularly dangerous for database administrators who rely on this tool for user management and authentication. The vulnerability affects not only Firebird Database installations but also any software products that utilize InterBase codebase components, creating a widespread security concern across multiple applications and systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Firebird Database version 1.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this buffer overflow vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the ibserver process to untrusted networks. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual connection patterns or command execution attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499.004 for network denial of service, with potential lateral movement capabilities if attackers can leverage the service disruption to gain additional system access. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures that account for this specific vulnerability type. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining systems that may be affected by this or similar buffer overflow conditions within the InterBase ecosystem.