CVE-2012-0711 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
Integer signedness error in the db2dasrrm process in the DB2 Administration Server (DAS) in IBM DB2 9.1 through FP11, 9.5 before FP9, and 9.7 through FP5 on UNIX platforms allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted request that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0711 represents a critical integer signedness error within the db2dasrrm process of IBM DB2 Administration Server DAS components. This flaw exists in multiple DB2 versions including 9.1 through FP11, 9.5 before FP9, and 9.7 through FP5 on UNIX platforms. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values during request processing, specifically affecting how signed and unsigned integers are managed within the buffer allocation logic. The issue manifests when the db2dasrrm process receives a specially crafted request that exploits the signedness error to manipulate memory allocation parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a heap-based buffer overflow condition that arises from the integer signedness error. When processing incoming requests, the system fails to properly validate or convert integer values, leading to incorrect buffer size calculations. This misconfiguration allows attackers to craft requests that cause the system to allocate insufficient memory for data buffers, subsequently enabling heap corruption when legitimate data exceeds the allocated space. The flaw specifically targets the db2dasrrm process which serves as a remote administration component for DB2 databases, making it a prime target for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, as it leverages the remote administration capabilities of the DAS component.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0711 is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected IBM DB2 versions. Remote attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution on systems running vulnerable DB2 installations, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence within network environments. The vulnerability affects database administrators who rely on the DAS component for remote management, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can leverage to escalate privileges and move laterally within enterprise networks. Organizations with multiple DB2 instances across different platforms face compounded risk as this vulnerability affects several major DB2 release versions simultaneously. The nature of the flaw means that any system with the affected DAS component enabled and accessible over the network represents a potential entry point for malicious actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0711 primarily involve applying the official IBM security patches and fixes released for the affected DB2 versions. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment across all vulnerable systems, particularly those with exposed DAS components. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the DAS administration ports, limiting exposure to unauthorized users. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190 which addresses integer overflow and CWE-121 which covers stack-based buffer overflow conditions, while also mapping to ATT&CK techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation. System administrators should also consider disabling the DAS component entirely if remote administration is not required, as this removes the attack surface entirely. Regular security assessments and monitoring of database administration services should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain overall system security posture against similar vulnerabilities.