CVE-2018-1565 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: 143022.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1565 affects IBM DB2 database management systems across multiple platforms including Linux, UNIX, and Windows operating systems. This issue specifically impacts DB2 versions 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, and 11.1, as well as the DB2 Connect Server component. The flaw represents a significant security concern as it enables local users to exploit a buffer overflow condition that could potentially lead to privilege escalation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows an attacker with local system access to elevate their privileges to the level of the DB2 instance owner, which typically possesses elevated system permissions and database access rights.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the DB2 database server components. When processing certain input data, the system fails to properly bounds-check array allocations, creating a scenario where malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This buffer overflow condition occurs in the context of local execution, meaning that an attacker must already have access to the system to exploit this vulnerability. The flaw is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is a classic exploitation vector that has been documented extensively in cybersecurity literature. The overflow can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the elevated privileges of the DB2 instance owner, providing attackers with access to sensitive database information and system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of DB2 installations. Database administrators and security teams face significant risk when systems are compromised through this vulnerability, as the DB2 instance owner typically has access to all database schemas, user credentials, and system-level database configurations. This access could enable attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, create new user accounts, or even establish persistence mechanisms within the database environment. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on DB2 for critical business operations, potentially leading to data breaches, compliance violations, and significant financial losses. Organizations using affected DB2 versions must consider this vulnerability as a high-priority risk that could be exploited by both internal and external threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-1565 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. IBM has released security updates that address this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches to all affected DB2 installations. System administrators should implement the latest cumulative fix packs and service levels for their specific DB2 version. Additionally, organizations should enforce the principle of least privilege by ensuring that DB2 instance owners have only the minimum necessary permissions and that database access is properly audited. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through local system access, making it a critical target for defensive security measures and incident response planning. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and access control measures to detect unauthorized access patterns that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.