CVE-2021-38926 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows versions 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5 are vulnerable to a privilege escalation issue that allows a local user to gain elevated privileges by modifying existing task columns.

Understanding CVE-2021-38926

This CVE impacts IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows, potentially enabling privilege escalation for local users.

What is CVE-2021-38926?

The vulnerability in IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows versions 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5 allows a local user to gain escalated privileges through the modification of task columns.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38926

With a CVSS v3.0 base score of 5.5 (Medium Severity), this vulnerability could lead to high integrity impact due to unauthorized privilege escalation by local users.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38926

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows versions 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5 are vulnerable to allowing local users to modify existing task columns and gain unauthorized privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected products include IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows versions 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows local users to exploit the ability to modify columns of existing tasks, leading to privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to protect your systems against CVE-2021-38926.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply official fixes provided by IBM to address the privilege escalation vulnerability and prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong security controls, regularly monitor system activity, and enforce the least privilege principle to mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay updated with security advisories from IBM, apply patches promptly, and ensure that systems are regularly updated to prevent security breaches.