CVE-2008-1966 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the JAR file administration routines in the BSU JAVA subcomponent in IBM DB2 8 before FP16, 9.1 before FP4a, and 9.5 before FP1 allow remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (instance crash) via a call to the (1) RECOVERJAR or (2) REMOVE_JAR procedure with a crafted parameter, related to (a) sqlj.install_jar and (b) sqlj.replace_jar.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1966 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within IBM DB2's Java subcomponent that affects multiple database versions including DB2 8 before fix pack 16, 9.1 before fix pack 4a, and 9.5 before fix pack 1. This vulnerability specifically targets the JAR file administration routines that handle Java archive file operations within the database environment. The flaw exists in the BSU JAVA subcomponent and manifests when the database processes calls to specific stored procedures that manage Java application deployment and maintenance. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows authenticated remote attackers to trigger system instability through carefully crafted inputs to database procedures, potentially leading to complete database instance crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves buffer overflow conditions within the sqlj.install_jar and sqlj.replace_jar stored procedures that are part of the database's Java application management framework. When these procedures receive specially crafted parameters through the RECOVERJAR or REMOVE_JAR procedure calls, the input validation mechanisms fail to properly handle excessive data lengths, resulting in memory corruption that causes the database instance to crash. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in database stored procedures. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of JAR file metadata and deployment parameters, where the database fails to enforce proper bounds checking on user-supplied input data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions as it can result in complete database instance crashes that require manual intervention to restore service. Database administrators face significant operational challenges when dealing with such vulnerabilities, as they must balance the need for immediate patching against potential business disruption from database downtime. The remote authenticated nature of this vulnerability means that attackers who have legitimate database access credentials can exploit this flaw without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database access is granted to multiple users. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability and reliability of database services, potentially affecting business-critical applications that depend on DB2 for data management operations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate implementation of vendor-provided security patches and updates to prevent exploitation. The recommended mitigations include applying the appropriate fix packs for each affected DB2 version, implementing network segmentation to limit access to database administration procedures, and establishing robust monitoring for unusual database activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary stored procedures and implementing strict access controls for database users who require Java application management capabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210, which covers exploitation of remote services through buffer overflows, and represents a critical weakness in database application security that requires comprehensive remediation strategies including both immediate patching and long-term security architecture improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.