CVE-2014-3094 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in IBM DB2 9.7 through FP9a, 9.8 through FP5, 10.1 through FP4, and 10.5 before FP4 on Linux, UNIX, and Windows allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a crafted ALTER MODULE statement.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3094 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in IBM DB2 database management systems across multiple versions including 9.7 through FP9a, 9.8 through FP5, 10.1 through FP4, and 10.5 before FP4. This flaw exists specifically on Linux, UNIX, and Windows operating systems, making it a cross-platform security concern that affects organizations running IBM DB2 in diverse environments. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when a program writes data beyond the bounds of a fixed-length buffer allocated on the stack. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it allows remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code, meaning that an attacker who has valid credentials to access the database can potentially gain complete control over the database server. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the database service account.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability involves a crafted ALTER MODULE statement that triggers the buffer overflow condition. When IBM DB2 processes this specific database command with malicious input, it fails to properly validate the length of the input data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This improper bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including the return address of the function call stack. The stack-based nature of this overflow means that the attacker can manipulate the program execution flow by overwriting the return address, effectively redirecting the database server to execute malicious code. The authentication requirement for exploitation means that attackers must first obtain valid database credentials, but this is often achievable through various social engineering techniques, credential theft, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3094 is severe and multifaceted for affected organizations. Successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of the database server, allowing attackers to access, modify, or delete sensitive data stored in the database. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers can potentially elevate their database privileges to system-level access, depending on how the database service is configured. Organizations may experience data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and significant financial losses due to the exposure of sensitive information. The cross-platform nature of this vulnerability means that database administrators must apply patches across multiple operating systems, complicating the remediation process. Additionally, since the vulnerability allows remote code execution, attackers can establish persistent backdoors or use the compromised server as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network infrastructure.
Organizations affected by CVE-2014-3094 should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official IBM patches and fixes released for the affected DB2 versions. Database administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of database servers to untrusted networks. Monitoring for suspicious ALTER MODULE statements and implementing database activity monitoring solutions can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in database management systems, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other database components and applications. Organizations should also consider implementing database firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. The remediation process requires careful planning to ensure that patches do not disrupt existing database operations, and thorough testing should be performed in staging environments before deployment to production systems.