SQLBase Vulnerabilities

Created 2/25/03

Impact

A remote attacker could execute arbitrary commands with Local System privileges.

Background

SQLBase is a relational database management system. SQLBase includes a default database called ISLAND which can be accessed using the sysadm account with no password.

The Problem

A buffer overflow condition in the EXECUTE command could allow an attacker to crash the service and execute arbitrary commands. While a login and password to an existing database should be required in order to use the EXECUTE command, the default ISLAND database allows any user to authenticate without needing to know a password. Therefore, any remote attacker could exploit the buffer overflow and gain control of the server.

SQLBase 8.0.0, 8.1.0, and possibly other versions are affected by this vulnerability.

Resolution

Remove the ISLAND database. This does not fix the buffer overflow, but does prevent it from being exploited by users who do not have a valid login and password to another database. The buffer overflow has not been sufficiently fixed by the vendor at the time of this writing.

Where can I read more about this?

This vulnerability was posted to VulnWatch.