CVE-2010-1560 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the REPEAT function in IBM DB2 9.1 before FP9 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (trap) via unspecified vectors. NOTE: this might overlap CVE-2010-0462.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1560 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within IBM DB2 database management system version 9.1 prior to fix pack 9. This security weakness specifically affects the REPEAT function implementation, creating a potential pathway for remote authenticated attackers to disrupt database operations. The vulnerability manifests through unspecified vectors that allow malicious actors to trigger a denial of service condition resulting in system trapping. The REPEAT function in question is commonly used for string manipulation tasks within database queries, making this flaw particularly concerning for environments where database operations are frequently executed. The buffer overflow condition occurs when the function processes input parameters that exceed allocated memory boundaries, potentially leading to unpredictable system behavior and service interruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-125, indicating out-of-bounds read conditions that can occur when the REPEAT function fails to properly validate input lengths before processing. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for database administrators as it requires minimal privileges for exploitation, only needing authenticated access to the database system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to cause system traps that effectively render database services unavailable, impacting business continuity and data accessibility. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service issue means that successful exploitation results in service disruption rather than direct data compromise, though the impact on system availability can be severe for mission-critical applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1560 extends beyond simple service interruption to encompass broader system reliability concerns within enterprise database environments. Organizations running IBM DB2 9.1 without the applicable fix pack remain vulnerable to attacks that can cause database processes to crash or become unresponsive, potentially requiring manual intervention to restore service. The unspecified vectors involved in exploitation suggest that various input parameters could trigger the buffer overflow condition, making it challenging to implement comprehensive defensive measures without full knowledge of all attack paths. Security professionals should note the potential overlap with CVE-2010-0462, indicating that multiple related vulnerabilities may exist within the same software version, requiring thorough assessment of the overall security posture. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations with database systems that handle high volumes of user requests or automated processes where the REPEAT function might be frequently invoked.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1560 primarily focus on applying the official IBM fix pack 9 for DB2 9.1, which addresses the buffer overflow condition within the REPEAT function implementation. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected database instances to prevent exploitation by malicious actors. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to database systems, enforcing strict authentication controls, and monitoring database activity for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application-level input validation to reduce the risk of malformed data reaching the vulnerable function. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service operations, with potential for lateral movement if database systems are part of larger network infrastructures. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in database components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar buffer overflow conditions that could affect other database functions or system components.