CVE-2008-0768 in Informix Storage Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based and heap-based buffer overflows in the Windows RPC components for IBM Informix Storage Manager (ISM), as used in Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) 10.00.xC8 and earlier and 11.10.xC2 and earlier, allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted XDR requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0768 represents a critical security flaw in the Windows Remote Procedure Call (RPC) components of IBM Informix Storage Manager, which is integral to the Informix Dynamic Server platform. This vulnerability affects specific versions of both IDS 10.00.xC8 and earlier, as well as IDS 11.10.xC2 and earlier, creating a widespread risk across multiple product iterations. The flaw manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the XDR (External Data Representation) processing functionality, which serves as the foundation for data serialization and network communication within the database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves both stack-based and heap-based buffer overflow conditions that occur when the system processes crafted XDR requests. These buffer overflows arise from insufficient bounds checking and memory management within the RPC handling components, particularly when processing malformed or specially constructed data packets. The stack-based overflow occurs when data exceeds the allocated stack buffer space, while the heap-based overflow happens when heap memory allocations do not properly validate input lengths. Both conditions create opportunities for attackers to overwrite critical memory locations and potentially gain control over the executing process.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0768 extends far beyond typical database security concerns, as successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service account. This represents a severe privilege escalation vector that could enable unauthorized access to sensitive database information, modification of critical business data, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the RPC layer, which typically requires minimal authentication for basic operations, making it accessible to attackers who can craft malicious XDR requests. The potential for remote code execution without extensive prior access makes this vulnerability especially attractive to threat actors targeting enterprise database environments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches and updates that address the buffer overflow conditions in the RPC components. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected database services, particularly limiting RPC access to trusted networks only. The implementation of intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed XDR requests can provide additional monitoring capabilities. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow classifications, representing a fundamental memory safety issue that violates secure coding practices. The attack vector can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, where the vulnerability enables remote code execution through legitimate system interfaces. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar memory corruption issues in other database components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack patterns.