CVE-2011-0731 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the DB2 Administration Server (DAS) component in IBM DB2 9.1 before FP10, 9.5 before FP7, and 9.7 before FP3 on Linux, UNIX, and Windows allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0731 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within IBM DB2's Administration Server component, specifically affecting versions 9.1 prior to fix pack 10, 9.5 prior to fix pack 7, and 9.7 prior to fix pack 3 across multiple operating systems including Linux, UNIX, and Windows platforms. This security weakness resides in the DAS component which serves as a centralized management interface for DB2 database administration tasks, making it a prime target for exploitation by malicious actors seeking unauthorized system access. The buffer overflow vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the administrative server's processing logic, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and potentially gain complete system control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking mechanisms in the DAS component's handling of incoming network requests and data processing operations. When the administration server receives malformed input data through its network interfaces, the system fails to properly validate the size and content of buffers allocated for processing these requests. This allows attackers to craft specially designed payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite critical program execution structures including return addresses and function pointers. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be triggered through network-based attacks without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely by attackers who do not possess valid credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the DB2 service account. Attackers who successfully exploit this buffer overflow can potentially gain access to sensitive database information, modify or delete critical data, establish persistent backdoors, and use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations running IBM DB2 in production environments where the Administration Server is exposed to untrusted networks, creating potential for widespread data breaches and system disruptions that could result in significant financial losses, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage. Organizations with database systems that have not applied the relevant security patches face substantial risk of being targeted by automated exploitation tools that specifically look for these known vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0731 primarily focus on immediate patch application and network security hardening measures. IBM has released fix packs addressing this vulnerability for all affected versions, with the recommended approach being the immediate installation of the appropriate fix packs for each supported version. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the DB2 Administration Server to trusted administrative networks only, disable unnecessary network services, and employ network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for known exploitation patterns, restricting the DAS service to specific IP addresses, and conducting regular security assessments of database environments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a common attack vector that maps to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and execution through remote services, making it a critical concern for enterprise security teams implementing comprehensive threat detection and response capabilities.