CVE-2010-3732 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
The DRDA Services component in IBM DB2 UDB 9.5 before FP6a allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (database server ABEND) by using the client CLI on Linux, UNIX, or Windows for executing a prepared statement with a large number of parameter markers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3732 affects IBM DB2 Universal Database version 9.5 before fix pack 6a, specifically within the Distributed Relational Database Architecture services component. This issue represents a significant security flaw that can be exploited by remote authenticated users to disrupt database operations through carefully crafted prepared statements. The vulnerability manifests when the client command line interface is utilized on Linux, UNIX, or Windows operating systems to execute prepared statements containing an excessive number of parameter markers.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and resource management within the DRDA services implementation. When a prepared statement contains a large number of parameter markers, the database server fails to properly handle the excessive parameter count, leading to an abnormal termination or ABEND condition. This occurs because the system lacks proper bounds checking and memory allocation controls for parameter marker processing. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires only authenticated access to exploit, meaning that legitimate database users with appropriate credentials can trigger the denial of service condition. The flaw operates at the protocol level where DRDA handles client-server communication, making it a critical component of the database security posture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as database ABEND conditions can result in complete database server crashes requiring manual intervention and system restarts. This type of denial of service attack can severely impact business continuity and data availability, particularly in environments where database systems are critical to operations. The vulnerability affects organizations using IBM DB2 9.5 without the latest fix pack updates, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to disrupt database services. The impact is particularly severe in high-availability environments where database uptime is mission-critical, as such an attack could lead to extended downtime and potential data loss scenarios. Organizations relying on database applications for transaction processing, reporting, and other critical business functions face significant operational risks when this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3732 primarily focus on applying the appropriate IBM fix pack updates, specifically FP6a or later versions that address the DRDA parameter marker handling issue. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all database instances receive timely security updates. Additional protective measures include monitoring database sessions for unusual prepared statement patterns and implementing access controls to limit database user privileges where possible. Network-level protections such as firewall rules and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block suspicious database activity patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on prepared statements with excessive parameter markers. From a security framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-400 Uncontrolled Resource Consumption, while the exploitation techniques map to ATT&CK tactics including TA0040 Resource Hijacking and TA0005 Defense Evasion. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in database systems and highlights the need for robust error handling mechanisms in distributed database architectures.