CVE-2018-1426 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
IBM GSKit (IBM DB2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, and 11.1) duplicates the PRNG state across fork() system calls when multiple ICC instances are loaded which could result in duplicate Session IDs and a risk of duplicate key material. IBM X-Force ID: 139071.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1426 affects IBM GSKit components within IBM DB2 database systems across multiple versions including 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, and 11.1 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows platforms. This issue stems from improper handling of pseudo-random number generator state management during process forking operations, creating significant cryptographic weaknesses that could compromise the security of database communications and session management. The vulnerability specifically impacts environments where multiple ICC (IBM Crypto Client) instances are loaded simultaneously within the same process hierarchy.
The technical flaw manifests when the GSKit library duplicates the pseudo-random number generator state across fork() system calls, which violates fundamental cryptographic security principles. When multiple ICC instances are loaded and processes are forked, the random number generator state is not properly isolated between parent and child processes, leading to predictable or duplicated random sequences. This duplication directly impacts the generation of session identifiers and cryptographic key material, creating scenarios where identical session IDs could be generated across different processes or connections. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it undermines the core cryptographic assumptions that secure communications rely upon, where uniqueness of random values is critical for maintaining security properties.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session ID collisions to encompass broader cryptographic weaknesses in database security infrastructure. When duplicate session IDs are generated, it creates opportunities for session hijacking attacks where an attacker could potentially impersonate legitimate users or intercept communications. The risk of duplicate key material is especially dangerous as it can lead to key reuse scenarios that fundamentally weaken encryption strength and make cryptographic attacks more feasible. This vulnerability affects database connections that rely on SSL/TLS encryption through GSKit, potentially compromising data confidentiality and integrity in transit. The issue is particularly severe in high-availability or clustered database environments where multiple processes may be forked simultaneously, increasing the probability of state duplication occurring.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention and systematic implementation across affected IBM DB2 installations. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant IBM security patches and fixes that address the pseudo-random number generator state management issue in GSKit components. System administrators should consider implementing process isolation measures to minimize the conditions that lead to multiple ICC instances being loaded simultaneously, though this approach represents a workaround rather than a complete solution. Monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect potential session ID collisions or anomalous cryptographic behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-330, which addresses insufficient randomness in cryptographic operations, and represents a significant concern from an ATT&CK perspective under the privilege escalation and credential access categories. Organizations should also review their database security configurations to ensure proper random number generation practices are in place and consider implementing additional cryptographic controls to compensate for the weakened random number generation capabilities during process forking operations.