CVE-2007-5758 in DB2 Universal Database
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in db2dasrrm in the DB2 Administration Server (DAS) in IBM DB2 Universal Database 9.5 before Fix Pack 1, 9.1 before Fix Pack 4a, and 8 before FixPak 16 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long DASPROF environment variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5758 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the DB2 Administration Server component of IBM DB2 Universal Database. This security weakness exists in the db2dasrrm executable module that handles administrative functions for DB2 database systems. The vulnerability specifically affects IBM DB2 versions 9.5 before Fix Pack 1, 9.1 before Fix Pack 4a, and 8 before FixPak 16, making it a long-standing issue that impacted multiple major versions of the database platform. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation when processing the DASPROF environment variable, which is utilized by the DAS to manage administrative profiles and configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the stack memory allocation process. When the db2dasrrm process receives a DASPROF environment variable containing excessive data, it fails to validate the input length before copying the variable content onto the stack. This unchecked memory copy operation results in a buffer overflow that can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, including return addresses and control data. The overflow occurs because the application does not enforce maximum length restrictions on the DASPROF environment variable, allowing attackers to supply arbitrarily long input that exceeds the allocated buffer space. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which directly enables arbitrary code execution through stack memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and directly enables local privilege escalation attacks. A local attacker who can manipulate the DASPROF environment variable can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the DB2 Administration Server process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. This presents a significant risk to database security since the DAS process often operates with administrative privileges necessary for database management functions. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain unauthorized access to database resources, compromise data integrity, or establish persistent access points within the database environment. Attackers can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges and perform malicious activities that could result in data breaches, system compromise, or complete database server takeover.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the recommended security patches provided by IBM through their respective Fix Pack releases. The primary mitigation strategy involves applying the appropriate cumulative fix packs that address this specific buffer overflow condition in the db2dasrrm component. System administrators should also consider implementing environment variable restrictions to limit the potential impact of such attacks, though this represents a secondary mitigation approach. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in database server applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential buffer overflow conditions within their database environments and ensure that all database components are regularly updated with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses.