CVE-2015-1935 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
The scalar-function implementation in IBM DB2 9.7 through FP10, 9.8 through FP5, 10.1 before FP5, and 10.5 through FP5 on Linux, UNIX, and Windows allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1935 represents a critical security flaw within IBM DB2 database management systems across multiple versions and platforms. This issue affects IBM DB2 versions 9.7 through fix pack 10, 9.8 through fix pack 5, 10.1 before fix pack 5, and 10.5 through fix pack 5 when deployed on Linux, UNIX, and Windows operating systems. The vulnerability resides in the scalar-function implementation component of the database engine, which serves as a fundamental building block for database operations and user-defined functions. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit unspecified vectors that can result in either denial of service conditions or arbitrary code execution within the database server environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of scalar function implementations that process user inputs and database operations. When the database engine processes certain scalar function calls, it fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious inputs that can trigger buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other exploitable conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1059.006 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" when considering the potential for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects database functions that are commonly used in application interfaces and database operations, making it particularly dangerous in production environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1935 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential complete system compromise. A successful exploitation can result in denial of service attacks that render database services unavailable to legitimate users, causing business disruption and potential financial losses. More critically, the arbitrary code execution capability allows attackers to gain elevated privileges within the database server environment, potentially leading to data theft, modification, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects database administrators and application developers who rely on scalar functions for complex database operations, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where database integrity and availability are paramount. Organizations running affected IBM DB2 versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data and potential system-wide compromise, especially when database servers are accessible from untrusted networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1935 should prioritize immediate patching of affected IBM DB2 installations with the appropriate fix packs and security updates provided by IBM. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit direct access to database servers from untrusted networks and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious database activity. Database administrators should review and restrict scalar function usage where possible, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to reduce attack surface. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices in database applications. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and implement monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database audit logging can help detect unauthorized access attempts and provide forensic evidence in case of successful exploitation. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing database applications and operations.