CVE-2004-2490 in Informix Extended Parallel Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) 9.40.xC1 and 9.40.xC2 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long GL_PATH environment variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2490 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within IBM Informix Dynamic Server versions 9.40.xC1 and 9.40.xC2. This issue arises from insufficient input validation when processing the GL_PATH environment variable, creating a pathway for local attackers to escalate privileges and execute malicious code. The buffer overflow occurs during the initialization phase of the database server when it attempts to parse and store the GL_PATH variable value in a fixed-size memory buffer without proper bounds checking. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, where attacker-controlled data exceeds the allocated buffer space and overwrites adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The implications extend beyond simple code execution as this local privilege escalation vector allows attackers with minimal system access to gain elevated privileges within the database environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to have local access to the system running the affected IDS version, as the buffer overflow occurs during the server startup process. When the GL_PATH environment variable exceeds the predetermined buffer size, the overflow corrupts the stack frame and potentially allows an attacker to overwrite the return address of the calling function. This enables arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the IDS service account, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core database server functionality and can be triggered simply by setting an environment variable, making it difficult to detect and prevent through conventional network-based security measures. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a privilege escalation technique under T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and potentially T1548.001 (Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism).
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2490 extends significantly beyond immediate code execution capabilities, as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of database operations within the affected environment. Organizations running these specific IDS versions face potential data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and complete system compromise if exploited successfully. The vulnerability affects database administrators and applications that rely on IDS for data storage and retrieval, potentially leading to widespread service disruption and data loss. The buffer overflow can be leveraged to bypass security controls, escalate privileges, and maintain persistent access to the compromised system. Security professionals must consider that this vulnerability can be exploited by insiders or attackers who have gained local access through other means, making it a particularly dangerous flaw in environments where local system access is not strictly controlled. The long-term implications include potential regulatory compliance violations and significant financial losses due to data exposure and system downtime.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2490 require immediate action to address the root cause through official vendor patches and configuration hardening measures. IBM has released security updates specifically addressing this vulnerability in later versions of Informix Dynamic Server, and organizations should prioritize upgrading to patched versions. System administrators should implement strict environment variable validation and monitoring, particularly for GL_PATH and related variables that may be subject to user-controlled input. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that IDS service accounts operate with minimal required permissions and that local system access is restricted to authorized personnel only. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting, monitoring for unusual environment variable modifications, and conducting regular security assessments of database server configurations. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability, while regular security audits should verify that no systems remain running vulnerable versions of the software. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain inventory tracking of all database server installations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from going unnoticed.