CVE-2021-20579 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

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 allow a user to obtain sensitive information. Here's what you need to know about CVE-2021-20579.

Understanding CVE-2021-20579

This section provides insights into the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-20579?

CVE-2021-20579 relates to IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (including Db2 Connect Server) versions 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5. It enables a user to access sensitive information by exploiting an issue with the AUTO_REVAL setting.

The Impact of CVE-2021-20579

The vulnerability poses a medium-severity risk with a CVSS base score of 5.9. If successfully exploited, an attacker could access confidential data.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-20579

Here are the specific technical details of the vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

An attacker with the ability to create a view or inline SQL function can exploit AUTO_REVAL with the setting DEFFERED_FORCE to access sensitive data.

Affected Systems and Versions

IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows versions 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploit affects systems with the mentioned versions where the AUTO_REVAL setting is configured to DEFFERED_FORCE.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting your systems and data from CVE-2021-20579 is crucial. Here are some steps you can take:

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure that access control measures are in place to restrict unauthorized users from creating views or SQL functions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit user permissions and configurations to detect any unauthorized changes that could lead to data exposure.

Patching and Updates

Apply official fixes provided by IBM to address the vulnerability. Keep your Db2 databases up to date with the latest security patches.