CVE-2023-29258 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2023
IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (includes Db2 Connect Server) 11.1, and 11.5 is vulnerable to a denial of service through a specially crafted federated query on specific federation objects. IBM X-Force ID: 252048.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-29258 affects IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows database systems including the Db2 Connect Server components in versions 11.1 and 11.5. This issue represents a significant denial of service weakness that can be exploited through carefully constructed federated queries targeting specific federation objects within the database infrastructure. The vulnerability manifests when the database engine processes maliciously crafted federated query requests that leverage particular federation object configurations, potentially causing the system to become unresponsive or crash entirely.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the federated query processing mechanism of IBM Db2. When the system encounters a specially crafted federated query that references specific federation objects, the underlying processing logic fails to properly handle the malformed input, leading to resource exhaustion or system instability. This weakness operates at the database engine level where federated queries are executed against remote data sources, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect the availability of critical database services. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which covers unspecified resource management issues in database systems, and represents a classic denial of service scenario where legitimate service requests are disrupted through malicious input manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can compromise the availability of database services critical to enterprise applications and business operations. Organizations relying on federated queries for cross-database operations or data integration tasks face potential downtime that could affect multiple business processes depending on the database connectivity. The attack vector requires minimal privileges since it operates through normal database query processing mechanisms, making it particularly concerning for environments where database access is widely distributed. This vulnerability can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors who gain access to database query capabilities, potentially leading to extended service interruptions that could affect data availability for business-critical applications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch application from IBM as the primary defense mechanism, alongside network-level restrictions to limit access to federated query capabilities where possible. Organizations should implement monitoring for unusual query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for rapid remediation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1566.002 for the exploitation of remote services through database systems. Additional protective measures include implementing database firewalls, restricting federation object access through proper access controls, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of database configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on anomalous federated query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.