CVE-2022-35637 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE • 09/14/2022
IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5 is vulnerable to a denial of service after entering a malformed SQL statement into the Db2expln tool. IBM X-Force ID: 230823.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-35637 affects IBM Db2 database management systems across multiple versions including 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows platforms. This issue specifically targets the Db2expln tool which is used for explaining execution plans of sql statements. The flaw manifests when the tool processes malformed sql input, leading to a denial of service condition that can disrupt database operations and system availability. The vulnerability represents a critical security gap in database administration tools that could be exploited by attackers to cause system unavailability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the Db2expln tool's processing logic. When a malformed sql statement is submitted to the tool, the system fails to properly handle the unexpected input structure, causing the tool to crash or become unresponsive. This occurs because the tool lacks robust error handling mechanisms to gracefully process malformed inputs rather than terminating execution or consuming excessive system resources. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, which specifically addresses issues where applications fail to validate input data properly, leading to unexpected behavior and potential system instability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to database environments that rely on the Db2expln tool for performance analysis and query optimization. The denial of service condition can result in complete unavailability of the tool for legitimate administrative tasks, forcing database administrators to restart services or potentially compromise system uptime. The impact extends beyond simple tool unavailability as it can disrupt database monitoring activities, performance tuning operations, and routine administrative functions that depend on execution plan analysis. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where automated database management tools or scripts might invoke Db2expln with user-provided sql inputs, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the attack pattern taxonomy where adversaries target administrative tools to gain control over system resources or cause service disruption. Attackers could potentially craft malicious sql statements designed to trigger the denial of service condition, effectively creating a low-cost but impactful attack method against database infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of Db2 indicates a widespread exposure across different database environments, making it a particularly attractive target for automated exploitation campaigns. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where database administration tools are accessible to untrusted users or where automated sql processing occurs.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from IBM as soon as they become available, restricting access to the Db2expln tool to authorized administrative users only, and implementing input validation controls for any automated sql processing. Network segmentation and monitoring of database administration tool usage can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and limiting the privileges of users who can invoke the Db2expln tool reduces the attack surface. Regular security assessments should include verification that the patched versions are properly deployed across all affected systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of validating all input to administrative tools and implementing robust error handling mechanisms to prevent service disruption attacks that can compromise system availability and data integrity.