CVE-2008-1706 in solidDB
Summary
by MITRE
Uncontrolled array index in IBM solidDB 06.00.1018 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) via a large value in a certain 32-bit field.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1706 represents a critical uncontrolled array index flaw within IBM solidDB database software versions 06.00.1018 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly constrain the range of values accepted in a specific 32-bit field during database operations. The vulnerability manifests when remote attackers submit maliciously crafted data containing excessively large values that exceed the bounds of predefined array structures within the database daemon process. The flaw resides in the software's memory management and data processing routines where array indices are calculated and validated without proper boundary checks, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by adversaries to disrupt database services.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully constructed input sequence that manipulates a 32-bit field to contain values that, when processed, result in array index calculations that exceed the allocated memory boundaries. When the solidDB daemon processes such malformed input, it attempts to access memory locations outside the intended array bounds, causing a segmentation fault or memory access violation that results in the daemon crashing and terminating the database service. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of input buffers, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw represents a classic example of a buffer overflow condition that occurs not through direct buffer manipulation but through improper index calculation that leads to memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the availability and reliability of database systems that rely on IBM solidDB. When the daemon crashes due to this condition, database services become unavailable to legitimate users and applications, resulting in significant downtime and potential data access interruptions. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring local system access or authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible database systems. Organizations utilizing affected versions of solidDB face risks of operational disruption, service level agreement violations, and potential business continuity impacts that could affect mission-critical applications depending on database availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1706 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the latest IBM solidDB updates that address the array index validation issue. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of database systems to untrusted networks while monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Input validation measures should be enhanced at network boundaries and application layers to filter out malformed data before it reaches the database daemon. System administrators should configure intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual patterns of database connection attempts or data processing operations that could indicate exploitation activity. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper input validation controls to prevent exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities in database systems.