CVE-2026-18097 in Db2
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2026
IBM Db2 11.5.0 through 11.5.9, and 12.1.0 through 12.1.5 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (includes DB2 Connect Server) could allow a local attacker to obtain sensitive information due to the logging of plain text passwords in trace files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2026
This vulnerability exists within IBM Db2 database management systems across multiple versions including 11.5.0 through 11.5.9 and 12.1.0 through 12.1.5 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows platforms. The security flaw stems from improper handling of authentication credentials within the system's diagnostic logging mechanisms, specifically when plain text passwords are inadvertently recorded in trace files generated by the database server. This represents a critical configuration and logging security weakness that directly violates fundamental security principles of credential protection and least privilege access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the database server generates diagnostic trace files during normal operations or error conditions, and these files contain unencrypted authentication credentials including passwords in their raw form. Attackers with local access to the system can exploit this by examining the trace file contents to extract plain text credentials, which could then be used for unauthorized access to the database or potentially escalate privileges within the broader network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (T1552.001: Credentials In Files) which specifically addresses credential exposure through file-based storage mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using affected IBM Db2 versions, as it creates a persistent attack vector that remains active as long as the system continues to generate trace files with authentication data. Local attackers who gain access to the system through any means can immediately exploit this weakness without requiring additional network-based reconnaissance or advanced exploitation techniques. The exposure of plain text passwords in trace files also increases the risk of credential reuse attacks, where compromised credentials can be used against other systems within the organization that may share similar authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where database administrators maintain extensive logging for troubleshooting purposes, as the default configuration often includes verbose diagnostic output that inadvertently captures sensitive information.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including configuring the database server to disable or limit trace file generation containing credential information, implementing proper log rotation and access controls for diagnostic files, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access to trace file locations. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as file system permissions enforcement, regular audit reviews of log file contents, and ensuring that trace files are stored in secure locations with restricted access. The recommended approach involves configuring the database server to either encrypt sensitive information within logs or to completely suppress credential data from diagnostic outputs, which aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001 frameworks for protecting sensitive information and maintaining audit integrity.