CVE-2006-3860 in Informix Dynamic Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) before 9.40.xC7 and 10.00 before 10.00.xC3 allows allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via the (1) "SET DEBUG FILE" SQL command, and the (2) start_onpload and (3) dbexp functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3860 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in IBM Informix Dynamic Server versions prior to 9.40.xC7 and 10.00.xC3. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and privilege escalation mechanisms within the database server's command processing architecture. The vulnerability affects organizations relying on Informix IDS for database operations, particularly those with remote database access capabilities where authenticated users can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized system control.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through three distinct attack vectors that collectively enable arbitrary command execution. The first vector involves the "SET DEBUG FILE" SQL command which allows authenticated users to manipulate the database server's debugging functionality. When improperly validated, this command can be crafted to redirect debug output to arbitrary files or execute malicious code within the server context. The second and third vectors involve the start_onpload and dbexp functions respectively, which are database export and upload utilities that fail to properly sanitize user inputs. These functions can be manipulated to execute arbitrary system commands when processing specially crafted parameters, bypassing normal database security controls.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for database administrators and organizations using affected Informix IDS versions. Remote authenticated attackers who can establish database connections can escalate their privileges from standard database user access to full system command execution capabilities. This represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that aligns with CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in OS Command Injection). The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access to the database system, making it accessible to users with legitimate database credentials who may not have administrative privileges.
The exploitation of this vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation). Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute system commands that may include malicious payloads, establish persistence mechanisms, or escalate privileges within the database server environment. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate command execution as it can potentially enable attackers to access underlying operating system resources, compromise database integrity, and facilitate further lateral movement within network environments where the database server resides.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Informix IDS installations to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to IBM Informix Dynamic Server versions 9.40.xC7 or 10.00.xC3, which contain proper input validation and privilege control mechanisms. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit database access to authorized users only, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual database activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, database administrators should review and restrict the permissions assigned to database users, particularly limiting access to functions that can execute system commands. Security teams should also implement database activity monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts involving the vulnerable SQL commands and functions.