CVE-2005-2073 in db2
Summary
by MITRE
unknown vulnerability in ibm db2 8.1.4 through 8.1.9 and 8.2.0 through 8.2.2 allows local users with select privileges to conduct unauthorized activities and insert update or delete table contents.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2073 represents a significant security flaw in IBM DB2 database management systems affecting versions 8.1.4 through 8.1.9 and 8.2.0 through 8.2.2. This issue manifests as an authorization bypass vulnerability that allows local users who possess SELECT privileges to perform unauthorized database operations. The flaw fundamentally compromises the integrity of the database access control mechanisms by enabling privilege escalation through legitimate SELECT operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user permissions during database transaction processing, specifically when handling certain table operations that should require elevated privileges. This represents a classic example of insufficient authorization checks that violates fundamental security principles of database access control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the database's permission model by leveraging existing SELECT privileges to manipulate table contents through unauthorized INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE operations. Attackers can abuse this flaw to modify database records without proper authorization, potentially leading to data corruption, information disclosure, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability operates at the database engine level where the system fails to properly validate whether a user has sufficient privileges for operations beyond simple read access. This issue falls under the CWE-284 category of Improper Access Control, specifically targeting the authorization mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized modifications to database contents. The flaw demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement, where legitimate read-only access is being exploited to gain broader operational capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2073 extends beyond simple data manipulation to potentially compromise entire database systems and the sensitive information they contain. Local users with minimal privileges can effectively escalate their access level to perform destructive operations that should be restricted to database administrators or users with appropriate write permissions. This vulnerability creates a pathway for both insider threats and compromised accounts to cause significant damage to database integrity and confidentiality. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local access with SELECT privileges, making it difficult to detect through network monitoring alone. Organizations using affected DB2 versions face potential data loss, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited. The flaw also represents a potential entry point for attackers to establish persistence within database environments, as demonstrated by ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1485 for Data Destruction.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected IBM DB2 installations to the latest available versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations must also implement comprehensive monitoring of database access patterns to detect anomalous activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Database administrators should review and enforce strict access control policies, ensuring that users have only the minimum privileges necessary for their operational requirements. Network segmentation and host-based security controls can help limit the potential impact of local privilege escalation attacks. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities in database systems. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing robust database security monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized database modifications and privilege escalation attempts.