Interbase Detected

Created 3/16/01
CVE 2001-0008

Impact

A built-in backdoor account could be used to gain remote access to any database, or to overwrite files and execute arbitrary commands on the system with the privileges of the database server.

Background

Interbase is a database server for Unix and Windows. Firebird is another database server which is based on Interbase but is developed independently.

The Problem

Both Interbase and Firebird contain a built-in backdoor account which could be used to manipulate any database object on the server, replace stored procedures with Trojan Horse versions, or execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server, which is often root. The backdoor account cannot be removed through any type of configuration procedure.

Borland/Inprise Interbase 4.x and 5.x, open-source Interbase 6.0 and 6.0.1, and Firebird 0.9-3 and earlier are affected by this vulnerability.

Resolution

Interbase users should install the patch. Firebird users should upgrade to version 0.9-4.

Where can I read more about this?

For more information, see CERT Advisory 2000-01 and X-Force Alert 5911.