CVE-2008-7131 in DB2 Monitoring Console
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in DB2 Monitoring Console 2.2.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to gain access to a database via a link to a victim who is already connected to the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7131 represents a significant security weakness in IBM DB2 Monitoring Console version 2.2.4 and earlier implementations. This unspecified vulnerability creates a dangerous attack vector that enables remote adversaries to exploit existing database connections through a sophisticated social engineering approach. The flaw specifically manifests when an attacker crafts a malicious link that targets a victim who is already authenticated and connected to a database system, effectively leveraging the existing trust relationship to bypass traditional security controls.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate session management and access control mechanisms within the DB2 Monitoring Console interface. When a user clicks on a malicious link, the system fails to properly validate the origin and intent of the connection request, allowing unauthorized access to database resources through the established connection. This represents a classic case of privilege escalation through session hijacking, where the attacker exploits the legitimate user's active database session to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information and database operations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and CWE-352, which covers cross-site request forgery attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, unauthorized database modifications, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access confidential business data, customer information, financial records, and other sensitive database content that should only be accessible to authorized personnel. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this weakness from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the network or direct system compromise. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of database systems and can result in significant financial losses, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage for affected organizations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to DB2 Monitoring Console versions that address this vulnerability, implementing network segmentation to isolate database systems, and establishing robust access control policies. The recommended approach involves deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious requests, implementing strict session management protocols, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing the principle of least privilege for database access, ensuring that users only have access to the specific database resources necessary for their roles. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1078 - Valid Accounts, as it exploits a legitimate application interface to gain unauthorized access to database resources while leveraging existing authenticated sessions. Regular security training for users to recognize potentially malicious links and implementing email filtering solutions can further reduce the attack surface and prevent successful exploitation of this vulnerability.