CVE-2005-4739 in DB2 Universal Database
Summary
by MITRE
IBM DB2 Universal Database (UDB) 820 before version 8 FixPak 10 (s050811) allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (application crash) by using a table function for an instance of snapshot_tbreorg, which triggers a trap in sqlnr_EStoE_action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2021
IBM DB2 Universal Database version 8.2.0 and earlier contains a critical vulnerability that affects remote authenticated users who can trigger a denial of service condition through manipulation of table functions. This vulnerability specifically targets the snapshot_tbreorg instance and exploits a trap condition within the sqlnr_EStoE_action function, leading to application crashes and system instability. The flaw exists in the database engine's handling of certain snapshot table functions, where improper input validation allows maliciously crafted table function calls to cause the database service to terminate unexpectedly.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the database's internal processing mechanisms. When a remote authenticated user submits a specially crafted table function request targeting snapshot_tbreorg, the sqlnr_EStoE_action component fails to properly handle the malformed input, resulting in an unhandled exception that causes the database application to crash. This represents a classic buffer overflow or improper input handling vulnerability that falls under CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation." The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows authenticated users to cause system-wide disruption without requiring elevated privileges beyond standard database access rights.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for database administrators and system operators who must maintain high availability and reliability of their database services. The denial of service condition affects the core database functionality, potentially disrupting business operations and requiring system restarts to restore normal operations. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as database crashes can lead to data inconsistencies, transaction rollbacks, and extended downtime that affects multiple applications dependent on the database. Organizations running affected DB2 versions face potential revenue loss and operational disruption during the time required to apply patches and recover from the service interruption.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying IBM's FixPak 10 patch or equivalent updates to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit authentication to only trusted users and systems. Monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns in database connection attempts and snapshot function usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers "Endpoint Denial of Service" and represents a significant threat vector for database environments. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify and respond to potential exploitation attempts before they can cause service disruption. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other database components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar denial of service threats.