CVE-2008-0697 in DB2 Universal Database
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in DB2PD in IBM DB2 UDB before 8.2 Fixpak 16 allows local users to gain root privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0697 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within IBM DB2 Universal Database's DB2PD utility. This issue affects DB2 UDB versions prior to 8.2 Fixpak 16, where the vulnerability exists in the DB2PD tool which is commonly used for database administration and diagnostic purposes. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors suggests that multiple attack paths may exist, making the flaw particularly concerning for security professionals who must consider various potential exploitation techniques. The vulnerability specifically targets local users who already have access to the system, allowing them to escalate their privileges to the root level, which represents the highest possible system access rights.
The technical flaw within DB2PD stems from improper privilege handling mechanisms that fail to properly validate or restrict access to system-level operations. When local users execute the DB2PD utility, the tool does not adequately enforce security boundaries that would normally prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. This allows malicious users with local access to manipulate the utility in such a way that they can bypass normal access controls and obtain root privileges. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation issue indicates that it does not rely on network exposure but rather exploits weaknesses in how the application handles local execution contexts. The flaw likely involves improper access control checks or insecure privilege elevation mechanisms that permit unauthorized users to gain elevated system privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations running affected DB2 UDB versions. Local users who exploit this vulnerability can gain complete system control, which allows them to access, modify, or delete any data within the system, install malicious software, or completely compromise the integrity of the database environment. This privilege escalation capability fundamentally undermines the security model of the database system, as it allows attackers to bypass all normal security controls and gain unrestricted access to system resources. Organizations may face significant data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations if this vulnerability is exploited, particularly in environments where database administrators have local access to systems. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential lateral movement within networks and further security breaches.
Organizations should immediately implement the remediation measures provided by IBM through Fixpak 16 for DB2 UDB 8.2, which addresses this privilege escalation vulnerability. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected DB2 versions and ensure proper patching procedures are followed. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring and logging of DB2PD utility usage to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish proper access controls for local user accounts. The mitigation strategy should include regular security audits, privilege reviews, and implementation of principle of least privilege concepts to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access control measures to limit local user access to database systems where possible. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes improper privilege management, and represents a significant concern under ATT&CK framework category T1068, which covers privilege escalation techniques. Organizations must also consider the broader implications of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities in their overall security posture and implement comprehensive security awareness training for database administrators and system operators.