CVE-2026-110282 in Db2 Genius Hub
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2026
IBM Db2 Genius Hub 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4, 1.1.5 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to bypass security restrictions due to improper access control.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2026
The vulnerability identified in IBM Db2 Genius Hub versions 1.1.2 through 1.1.5 represents a critical failure in the implementation of authorization controls within the application's architecture. This flaw, classified under CWE-862 as Missing Authorization, allows an attacker who has already successfully authenticated to the system to perform actions that are restricted by design. Unlike vulnerabilities that require unauthenticated access or exploit input validation errors such as buffer overflows, this issue stems from a logical error in how the server processes requests after authentication is established. The core technical flaw lies in the application's inability to properly verify whether the authenticated user possesses the necessary privileges for specific administrative functions or sensitive data operations. Consequently, the security boundary that separates standard users from privileged administrators is effectively bypassed through manipulated request parameters or API calls that do not trigger adequate permission checks on the server side.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a severe risk to the integrity and confidentiality of the database environment managed by Genius Hub. An attacker with low-level access can escalate their privileges to gain administrative control over the system. This could lead to unauthorized modification or deletion of critical configuration settings, manipulation of user accounts, or extraction of sensitive data stored within the connected Db2 databases. The impact is particularly significant because it undermines the principle of least privilege, a foundational concept in cybersecurity that dictates users should only have access to resources strictly necessary for their role. By allowing lateral movement and vertical privilege escalation without additional authentication steps, this flaw enables an insider threat or a compromised low-privilege account to become a full system administrator, potentially leading to complete compromise of the underlying infrastructure.
In terms of industry standard mapping, this vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078, specifically Valid Accounts and subsequent privilege escalation paths such as T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. The attack vector is remote but requires authentication, placing it in the category of authenticated attacks that exploit logical flaws rather than software bugs like memory corruption. This distinction is crucial for defenders because traditional perimeter defenses may not detect these requests if they appear syntactically correct and originate from a valid session token. Security teams must recognize that input validation alone is insufficient; server-side authorization checks are mandatory for every action, regardless of the user's initial access level.
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations running affected versions of IBM Db2 Genius Hub should immediately apply the latest security patches provided by IBM. These updates typically include corrected logic in the access control module to ensure that all administrative endpoints and sensitive operations verify the user's role against a robust permission matrix before execution. In addition to patching, administrators should implement strict network segmentation to limit exposure of management interfaces and enforce multi-factor authentication for any account with elevated privileges. Regular auditing of access logs is also recommended to detect anomalous behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts, such as frequent requests to administrative endpoints by standard user accounts. Continuous monitoring and adherence to secure coding practices that emphasize explicit authorization checks are essential defenses against this class of logical vulnerabilities.