CVE-2010-3196 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
IBM DB2 9.7 before FP2, when AUTO_REVAL is IMMEDIATE, allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (loss of privileges) to a view owner by defining a dependent view.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2021
IBM DB2 version 9.7 before fix pack 2 contains a critical vulnerability that affects database security and availability when the AUTO_REVAL parameter is set to IMMEDIATE. This vulnerability specifically targets the view dependency management system within the database engine, creating a scenario where authenticated remote attackers can manipulate view ownership relationships to trigger privilege loss. The flaw exists in how the database handles view revalidation processes when dependencies are established between views, particularly when the system automatically revalidates views immediately upon dependency changes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of view dependencies during the revalidation process. When AUTO_REVAL is set to IMMEDIATE, the database engine automatically checks and updates view definitions whenever underlying objects change. An authenticated user can exploit this behavior by creating a dependent view that references another view owned by a different user. Through careful manipulation of the dependency chain and subsequent revalidation triggers, the attacker can cause the system to incorrectly process privilege inheritance, resulting in the loss of privileges for the original view owner. This issue falls under the CWE-264 weakness category, specifically addressing permissions and privilege management flaws in database systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service as it creates a persistent security risk for database environments. Organizations running IBM DB2 9.7 before FP2 with AUTO_REVAL set to IMMEDIATE face potential privilege escalation scenarios where legitimate users may lose access to their own database objects. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the database's access control mechanisms and can lead to unauthorized data exposure or restricted access to critical business information. Attackers can leverage this weakness to systematically remove privileges from view owners, potentially disrupting business operations and creating audit trail inconsistencies.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of several security measures. Organizations should upgrade to IBM DB2 9.7 Fix Pack 2 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed through enhanced view dependency validation. Additionally, system administrators should consider disabling AUTO_REVAL IMMEDIATE functionality for critical database objects and instead implement manual revalidation processes with proper access controls. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that database users have minimal necessary permissions for their operations. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual view dependency changes and privilege modifications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 related to credential access through privilege escalation and T1489 for denial of service attacks, making it a significant concern for enterprise security posture and compliance requirements.