CVE-2017-1508 in Informix Dynamic Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Informix Dynamic Server 12.1 could allow a local user logged in with database administrator user to gain root privileges. IBM X-Force ID: 129620.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2021
IBM Informix Dynamic Server version 12.1 contains a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that enables local database administrators to elevate their privileges to root level access. This vulnerability arises from improper privilege handling within the database server implementation, specifically when processing certain administrative commands or operations that should be restricted to privileged system users. The flaw exists in the server's privilege separation mechanisms, allowing authenticated database administrators to exploit a weakness in the access control model that governs user permissions and system resource access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it transforms a database administrative account into a system root account without requiring additional authentication or exploitation techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user privileges during critical system operations. When database administrators execute specific administrative functions, the system fails to properly verify that these operations should be restricted to root-level access. This creates an exploitable path where malicious or compromised database administrator accounts can leverage their existing privileges to gain full system control. The flaw likely involves improper handling of setuid binaries, insufficient privilege checks in system calls, or inadequate validation of administrative commands that should require root-level execution. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-276: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resources, which describes scenarios where system resources receive inappropriate access permissions. The vulnerability's exploitation path aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage system vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on IBM Informix Dynamic Server 12.1, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once exploited, a local database administrator can access all system files, modify critical configurations, install malicious software, and potentially establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects all database administrators who have access to the Informix server, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrative accounts exist. Organizations using this version of Informix face potential data breaches, system corruption, and complete loss of system integrity. The vulnerability also impacts compliance requirements, as it creates unauthorized access paths that may violate security standards such as those defined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 controls. Additionally, the presence of this vulnerability can expose organizations to regulatory penalties and increased audit scrutiny.
Organizations should immediately apply the relevant IBM security patches and updates to address this privilege escalation vulnerability. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of Informix Dynamic Server 12.1 within their environment and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit database administrator access to only necessary systems, reducing the attack surface. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of principle of least privilege implementation, where database administrator accounts should have minimal necessary permissions. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as privileged access management systems and regular security audits to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of timely patch management and proper privilege separation in database server implementations.