CVE-2018-1544 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
IBM DB2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (includes DB2 Connect Server) 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, and 11.1 could allow a local user to overflow a buffer which may result in a privilege scalation to the DB2 instance owner. IBM X-Force ID: 142648.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2023
This vulnerability affects IBM DB2 database systems across multiple versions including 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, and 11.1 on Linux, UNIX, and Windows platforms. The issue stems from a buffer overflow condition that occurs when processing certain input parameters within the database server components. The flaw specifically impacts the DB2 Connect Server functionality and represents a critical security weakness that could be exploited by local attackers with minimal privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls within the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068 privilege escalation tactic.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs during the processing of database connection parameters or administrative commands that are handled by the DB2 instance. When a local user crafts malicious input parameters that exceed the allocated buffer space, the overflow can overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. This memory corruption can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the elevated privileges of the DB2 instance owner. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only local access to exploit, meaning that any user with access to the system can potentially leverage this weakness. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted database connection strings or administrative commands that trigger the unsafe memory handling behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the database system. Once an attacker achieves privilege escalation to the DB2 instance owner level, they gain access to all database objects, user credentials, and sensitive data managed by the database. This represents a severe compromise of data confidentiality and integrity, potentially allowing for data exfiltration, modification of critical database contents, or establishment of persistent access points. The vulnerability affects database administrators who rely on the principle of least privilege, as it undermines the security boundary between regular system users and database service accounts. Organizations using affected DB2 versions face potential regulatory compliance violations and significant operational risk due to the elevated access levels that can be gained through this exploit.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security fixes. IBM has released specific updates for each affected version that address the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and memory boundary checking. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including mandatory access controls, privilege separation, and monitoring of database connection attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that database services run with minimal required permissions and that local user accounts have restricted access to database components. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit local access to database servers, while audit logging should be enabled to detect suspicious activities. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous patterns in database access that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and timely patch management for enterprise database systems.