CVE-2007-3334 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in the (1) Communications Server (iigcc.exe) and (2) Data Access Server (iigcd.exe) components for Ingres Database Server 3.0.3, as used in CA (Computer Associates) products including eTrust Secure Content Manager r8 on Windows, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3334 represents a critical security flaw affecting the Ingres Database Server 3.0.3 components within CA products, specifically targeting the Communications Server (iigcc.exe) and Data Access Server (iigcd.exe) executables. This heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the Windows implementation of the Ingres Database Server and affects the eTrust Secure Content Manager r8 product. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within these server components, which fail to properly bounds-check data received through network communications. These components are responsible for handling database communication protocols and data access requests, making them prime targets for exploitation by malicious actors who can leverage the vulnerability to gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote code execution without requiring authentication, enabling attackers to potentially compromise entire database server environments from external networks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests as heap-based buffer overflows within the memory management routines of the iigcc.exe and iigcd.exe processes. When these components process incoming data packets through network connections, they fail to validate the size of incoming buffers before copying data into allocated heap memory regions. This allows attackers to craft specially formatted network requests that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, causing memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. The heap corruption occurs during the processing of database communication protocols and data access requests, where the server components receive and parse network packets containing user-supplied data. Attackers can leverage this flaw by sending malicious payloads that trigger the buffer overflow conditions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected service accounts. The vulnerability's exploitation requires network connectivity to the targeted database server and can be executed without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where database servers are often exposed to untrusted networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3334 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a fundamental breach in the security architecture of database server implementations. Organizations running affected versions of the Ingres Database Server and CA eTrust Secure Content Manager r8 face significant risk of unauthorized data access, system compromise, and potential data breaches. The vulnerability affects critical database infrastructure components that handle sensitive enterprise data, making successful exploitation potentially catastrophic for organizations relying on these systems for content management and database operations. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries can exploit the vulnerability from anywhere on the internet, without requiring physical access to the target network or systems. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to cybercriminals and nation-state actors targeting enterprise database environments. The impact is further compounded by the fact that database servers typically run with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to gain full system control and access to all data stored within the database environment. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow classifications and represents a significant risk under ATT&CK framework's execution and privilege escalation tactics.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying available security patches from CA and Ingres vendors, implementing network segmentation to restrict access to database servers, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes isolating database servers from untrusted networks, implementing strict firewall rules limiting access to database ports, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all affected systems. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions capable of detecting anomalous database communication patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review and update their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and remediation of potential exploitation events. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for database server software, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple interconnected systems may be vulnerable to similar attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and privilege separation techniques to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could be leveraged to establish persistent access to database environments and potentially spread to other connected systems.