CVE-2023-28526 in Informix Dynamic Server
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2023
IBM Informix Dynamic Server 12.10 and 14.10 archecker is vulnerable to a heap buffer overflow, caused by improper bounds checking which could allow a local user to cause a segmentation fault. IBM X-Force ID: 251204.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28526 affects IBM Informix Dynamic Server versions 12.10 and 14.10, specifically within the archecker component. This heap buffer overflow represents a critical security flaw that stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms during memory allocation operations. The archecker utility is typically employed for archive checking and validation processes within the Informix database environment, making it a potential attack surface for malicious actors seeking to exploit local system access. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes certain input data structures without proper validation of buffer boundaries, creating opportunities for memory corruption that can be leveraged for system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper handling of heap memory allocation within the archecker utility. When processing archive files or related data structures, the software fails to validate the size constraints of input buffers before performing memory operations. This flaw creates a condition where an attacker can provide maliciously crafted input that exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in memory corruption that manifests as a segmentation fault. The heap buffer overflow occurs at the memory management level where the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated heap space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions and causing unpredictable behavior. This type of vulnerability is classified as a CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, representing a well-documented pattern of memory safety issues that have historically led to privilege escalation and system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks for organizations utilizing IBM Informix Dynamic Server environments, particularly when local user access is available. The segmentation fault condition can result in application crashes, service disruption, and potentially provide a foothold for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers with local access could exploit this vulnerability to cause denial of service conditions or potentially escalate privileges within the system. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as the heap corruption could affect other running processes or compromise the integrity of database operations. Organizations running these specific versions of Informix Dynamic Server must consider the potential for cascading failures in database operations and the broader system stability implications.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching and updates from IBM as the primary remediation approach. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit local access to affected systems and employ principle of least privilege configurations to restrict user permissions. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual memory allocation patterns or segmentation fault occurrences that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it relevant to defensive security operations. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar memory safety issues within the broader database infrastructure and ensure comprehensive protection against related threats.