CVE-2020-4135 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2020-4135 affecting IBM DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows versions 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5. Find out the impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps.
IBM DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows versions 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5 are susceptible to a denial of service vulnerability due to excessive memory usage.
Understanding CVE-2020-4135
This CVE involves a vulnerability in IBM DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows that could allow an unauthenticated user to trigger a denial of service attack by sending specially crafted packets.
What is CVE-2020-4135?
IBM DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows versions 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5 are affected by a vulnerability that could be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker to cause a denial of service through excessive memory consumption.
The Impact of CVE-2020-4135
The impact of this vulnerability is rated as high, with a CVSS base score of 7.5, indicating a significant threat to the availability of the affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-4135
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in IBM DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows versions 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5 allows an unauthenticated user to exploit the system by sending specially crafted packets, leading to a denial of service due to excessive memory usage.
Affected Systems and Versions
- IBM DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows 9.7
- IBM DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows 10.1
- IBM DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows 10.5
- IBM DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows 11.1
- IBM DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows 11.5
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by an unauthenticated user sending specially crafted packets to the affected IBM DB2 systems, causing a denial of service by consuming excessive memory.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the official fix provided by IBM to address the vulnerability in the affected versions.
- Monitor system resources for any unusual memory consumption that could indicate a potential denial of service attack.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch IBM DB2 installations to protect against known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access to the database systems.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all IBM DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows installations are updated with the latest security patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.