CVE-2008-0949 in Informix Dynamic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) 7.x through 11.x allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a malformed connection request packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2017
IBM Informix Dynamic Server represents a critical database management system that has been widely deployed across enterprise environments for decades. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0949 specifically targets the connection handling mechanisms within IDS versions ranging from 7.x through 11.x, creating a potential privilege escalation pathway for remote attackers. This unspecified nature of the vulnerability suggests that the underlying flaw may involve multiple aspects of the connection protocol implementation rather than a single specific code defect. The vulnerability resides in the server's ability to process incoming connection requests, where malformed packets can trigger unexpected behavior that leads to elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation, which is classified as CWE-20 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, representing one of the most prevalent software security weaknesses.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a specially malformed connection request packet that the IDS server processes without proper validation. When the server receives such a packet, it fails to properly validate the packet structure or content, allowing the malformed data to potentially influence the server's authentication or authorization mechanisms. This could result in the server treating the attacker's connection request as if it originated from an authenticated user with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing normal access controls. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no prior authentication and can be executed from any remote location, making it a significant threat to database security. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of database systems as it could allow unauthorized access to sensitive data and potentially enable further attacks within the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0949 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the database server's security architecture. Organizations running affected IDS versions face the risk of complete database compromise, where attackers could access, modify, or delete sensitive information stored within the database. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of IDS from 7.x through 11.x means that legacy systems and modern deployments alike could be at risk, creating widespread exposure across enterprise environments. Network administrators and security teams must consider this vulnerability as a critical threat requiring immediate attention, as it could be exploited by automated scanning tools or targeted attacks. The impact on business operations could be severe, including data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences depending on the nature of the compromised data. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and initial access domains, where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0949 require immediate action from system administrators and security teams to address the vulnerability across all affected IDS installations. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the relevant security patches provided by IBM, which would correct the malformed packet handling logic in the connection processing code. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of IDS servers to untrusted networks, using firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious connection patterns. Additional defensive measures include implementing network monitoring to detect malformed connection requests and establishing robust logging mechanisms to track connection attempts that might exploit this vulnerability. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues in other database systems and network infrastructure components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive security monitoring solutions to detect and respond to exploitation attempts before they can cause significant damage to enterprise systems.