CVE-2008-0387 in SQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Firebird SQL 1.0.3 and earlier, 1.5.x before 1.5.6, 2.0.x before 2.0.4, and 2.1.x before 2.1.0 RC1 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted (1) op_receive, (2) op_start, (3) op_start_and_receive, (4) op_send, (5) op_start_and_send, and (6) op_start_send_and_receive XDR requests, which triggers memory corruption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0387 represents a critical integer overflow flaw affecting multiple versions of the Firebird SQL database server. This issue manifests in versions 1.0.3 and earlier, 1.5.x prior to 1.5.6, 2.0.x before 2.0.4, and 2.1.x before 2.1.0 RC1, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely. The vulnerability specifically impacts the XDR (External Data Representation) request processing mechanism within the database server, where certain operations trigger memory corruption through improper integer handling.
The technical flaw occurs when the Firebird SQL server processes specific XDR requests that involve operations such as op_receive, op_start, op_start_and_receive, op_send, op_start_and_send, and op_start_send_and_receive. These operations are part of the database communication protocol that handles data transfer between client applications and the database server. The integer overflow vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of input parameters, particularly when processing data sizes or counts that are used to allocate memory buffers. When attackers craft malicious XDR requests with carefully constructed integer values that exceed the maximum representable value for the target integer type, the overflow causes unexpected behavior in memory allocation and data handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates conditions that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by sending specially crafted XDR requests that cause the database server to allocate insufficient memory buffers, leading to buffer overflows that can be manipulated to overwrite critical memory locations. This memory corruption can result in the execution of malicious code with the privileges of the database server process, potentially allowing attackers to gain full control over the database server and access sensitive information stored within the database.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow and underflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities. The attack pattern follows the techniques outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Execution, where adversaries leverage vulnerabilities to run malicious code. The exploitation requires network access to the database server and knowledge of the XDR protocol structure, making it a sophisticated attack vector that targets the core database communication infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches for Firebird SQL versions affected by this vulnerability, implementing network segmentation to limit access to database servers, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious XDR request patterns. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing input validation controls at the network level and regularly updating database server configurations to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper integer handling in server applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks in database systems.