CVE-2008-4693 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
The SORT/LIST SERVICES component in IBM DB2 9.1 before FP6 and 9.5 before FP2 writes sensitive information to the trace output, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading "PASSWORD-RELATED CONNECTION STRING KEYWORD VALUES."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4693 affects IBM DB2 database management systems version 9.1 prior to fix pack 6 and version 9.5 prior to fix pack 2. This security flaw resides within the SORT/LIST SERVICES component of the database system, which is responsible for handling sorting and listing operations during database queries. The vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure issue that occurs when the system writes sensitive data to trace output files. The flaw specifically impacts how the database handles password-related connection string keyword values during trace logging operations. When database connections are established or maintained, certain connection parameters including authentication credentials are inadvertently written to trace files, creating potential exposure points for unauthorized parties. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-200, Information Exposure, which is a fundamental weakness in information security where sensitive data is exposed to unauthorized individuals. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it directly impacts database authentication mechanisms and could allow attackers to extract connection string parameters that contain sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the trace logging functionality of IBM DB2's SORT/LIST SERVICES component. When database operations are performed, the system maintains trace logs that contain detailed information about database activities for debugging and monitoring purposes. However, the flawed implementation fails to properly sanitize or filter sensitive information from these trace outputs. Specifically, password-related connection string keyword values are written to trace files without adequate protection measures, allowing attackers who can access these trace files to extract authentication credentials and other sensitive connection parameters. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the trace logging subsystem. This creates an information exposure scenario where attackers can retrieve connection strings containing usernames, passwords, and other authentication-related information simply by reading the trace output files. The flaw demonstrates poor secure coding practices and highlights the importance of proper data sanitization in logging mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for unauthorized database access and privilege escalation. Attackers who gain access to the trace files can extract complete connection strings that may contain database credentials, server names, and other sensitive parameters that could be used to establish unauthorized connections to the database. This vulnerability significantly weakens the security posture of affected systems and could lead to complete database compromise if attackers can access the trace files through various means such as local file system access, inadequate file permissions, or through other attack vectors that allow them to read the trace output files. The exposure of password-related connection string values directly undermines the confidentiality of database authentication mechanisms and could enable attackers to perform unauthorized database operations, data exfiltration, or even system compromise if the database credentials provide elevated privileges. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where trace files are not properly secured or where multiple users have access to system resources.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the appropriate IBM fix packs for DB2 versions 9.1 FP6 and 9.5 FP2 to address the root cause of the information disclosure issue. System administrators should also review and implement proper file system permissions for trace output directories to ensure that only authorized personnel can access these sensitive files. Additional protective measures include configuring database trace settings to minimize sensitive information logging, implementing regular monitoring of trace file access patterns, and establishing secure logging practices that properly sanitize output before writing to trace files. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of database systems and reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, Phishing, as attackers may use the extracted credentials to gain unauthorized access to database systems. Furthermore, this issue demonstrates the importance of following security best practices outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001, which emphasize the need for proper information handling and access controls. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in database systems and ensure that logging mechanisms properly protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.