CVE-2010-3474 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
IBM DB2 9.7 before FP3 does not perform the expected drops or invalidations of dependent functions upon a loss of privileges by the functions owners, which allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions via calls to these functions, a different vulnerability than CVE-2009-3471.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
IBM DB2 version 9.7 before fix pack 3 contains a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that stems from inadequate handling of function dependencies when ownership privileges are revoked. This flaw represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in the database management system's access control mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects the privilege validation process within the database engine, where dependent functions are not properly invalidated when their owning users lose the necessary permissions. This creates a persistent security gap that allows authenticated attackers to maintain access to functionality they should no longer be able to use, fundamentally undermining the database's security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the privilege management layer of DB2's architecture, where the system fails to maintain proper consistency between user permissions and function accessibility. When a user who owns database functions loses privileges through administrative actions or role modifications, the database engine does not automatically invalidate or drop the dependent functions that were previously accessible to that user. This creates a scenario where attackers can leverage previously valid function calls even after their access rights have been revoked, effectively bypassing access controls that should have prevented such operations. The flaw operates at the application level within the database engine's privilege management subsystem, making it particularly insidious as it can be exploited without requiring additional authentication mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables authenticated attackers to perform unauthorized operations that should be restricted based on privilege levels. The security implications extend beyond simple access bypass as attackers can potentially execute functions that contain sensitive operations or data manipulation routines that were intended to be restricted to specific user roles. This creates a vector for privilege escalation attacks where users can gain access to functionality that should only be available to administrators or users with specific authorization levels. The vulnerability's persistence means that even after administrative revocation of privileges, the affected functions remain accessible, creating a window of opportunity for malicious activity that can last until the database is restarted or the specific functions are manually invalidated.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues in software systems, and demonstrates how inadequate privilege management can lead to unauthorized access. From an attack perspective, this flaw maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and defense evasion, as attackers can maintain access to restricted functionality without detection. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only authenticated access to the database system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database users have legitimate access but may be targeted for privilege manipulation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the appropriate fix pack for DB2 9.7, reviewing and validating user privilege assignments, and monitoring for unauthorized function calls. The recommended approach involves ensuring that all privilege changes are immediately enforced through proper invalidation of dependent functions and implementing additional monitoring controls to detect potential exploitation attempts.