CVE-2012-2196 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
IBM DB2 9.1 before FP12, 9.5 through FP9, 9.7 through FP6, 9.8 through FP5, and 10.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary XML files via the (1) GET_WRAP_CFG_C or (2) GET_WRAP_CFG_C2 stored procedure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2021
IBM DB2 database systems version 9.1 through FP11, 9.5 through FP8, 9.7 through FP5, 9.8 through FP4, and 10.1 contain a critical directory traversal vulnerability in their XML processing functionality. This vulnerability exists within the GET_WRAP_CFG_C and GET_WRAP_CFG_C2 stored procedures which are designed to handle configuration data retrieval but fail to properly validate input parameters. The flaw enables remote attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve arbitrary XML files from the system filesystem, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data, authentication credentials, or other confidential information stored in XML format.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the stored procedures that process XML configuration data. When these procedures receive user-supplied parameters, they concatenate the input directly into file system paths without proper sanitization or validation. This creates a classic path traversal condition where an attacker can manipulate the input to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries. The vulnerability specifically affects the XML processing components of IBM DB2, which are commonly used for configuration management and data exchange operations. According to CWE-22, this represents a directory traversal weakness that allows attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure, while the ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1566.001 - Phishing via Social Media and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers can leverage this to gather intelligence about the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive system configuration files that may contain database connection strings, user credentials, or other administrative data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially gain insights into the database architecture, identify other system components, and escalate privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of IBM DB2, making it particularly dangerous as organizations with legacy systems or those that have not applied the necessary patches remain exposed. The remote nature of the attack means that even systems behind firewalls or network segmentation can be compromised, as the vulnerability exists within the database's network-facing stored procedures. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where database systems are often exposed to external networks for application connectivity.
Organizations should immediately apply the relevant IBM security patches that address this directory traversal vulnerability in their DB2 installations. The patching process requires careful planning and testing to ensure that existing database operations continue to function properly. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of database systems to untrusted networks. Monitoring for suspicious database activity, particularly unusual calls to the affected stored procedures, should be implemented as part of the security operations center's routine surveillance. Additionally, database administrators should review and restrict access to the vulnerable stored procedures where possible, ensuring that only authorized users can execute these functions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the potential consequences of inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data in database applications. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous patterns in database queries and stored procedure calls that may indicate exploitation attempts.