CVE-2019-4102 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
IBM DB2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (includes DB2 Connect Server) 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, and 11.0 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 158092.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2023
IBM DB2 database management system versions 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, and 11.0 contain a cryptographic weakness that undermines the security of sensitive data stored within the database environment. This vulnerability stems from the use of deprecated or insufficiently strong cryptographic algorithms in the system's encryption implementation, creating potential attack vectors for adversaries seeking to access confidential information. The flaw affects the database's ability to maintain data confidentiality, particularly when sensitive information is stored in encrypted formats or when database connections are established using weak cryptographic protocols. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it impacts multiple major versions of IBM DB2, suggesting a systemic issue in the cryptographic implementation rather than an isolated incident. This weakness allows attackers to potentially decrypt sensitive information that should remain protected by strong encryption standards, thereby compromising the integrity and confidentiality guarantees that database systems are designed to provide.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of cryptographic algorithms that fall below industry-standard security requirements for modern database environments. Attackers can exploit this weakness through various means including man-in-the-middle attacks, session hijacking, or direct database access attempts where encrypted data is stored. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise and unauthorized administrative access. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in cryptographic implementation that aligns with CWE-327, which specifically addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal resources and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where large volumes of sensitive data are stored and accessed regularly.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-4102 is significant for organizations relying on IBM DB2 for critical data storage and processing operations. Companies using affected versions of the database system face potential regulatory compliance violations, financial penalties, and reputational damage if sensitive information is compromised. The vulnerability affects both the database server itself and the DB2 Connect Server components, creating attack surfaces across multiple network segments. Organizations may experience data breaches that expose personally identifiable information, financial records, intellectual property, and other confidential business data. The attack surface is further expanded due to the widespread deployment of these DB2 versions across enterprise environments, making the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking high-impact targets. Security incidents resulting from this vulnerability could trigger extensive forensic investigations and require costly remediation efforts including database reconfiguration, encryption key rotation, and comprehensive security audits.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of IBM DB2 that address the cryptographic weakness, implementing additional network segmentation controls, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their database environments. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patches that correct the cryptographic algorithm implementations and strengthen the overall encryption framework. Additional controls should include monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, implementing stronger authentication mechanisms, and establishing robust key management processes. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and defense evasion, as attackers may attempt to leverage weak encryption to bypass security controls and maintain persistence within the database environment. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date cryptographic implementations and demonstrates the potential consequences of relying on outdated security protocols in enterprise database systems.