CVE-2008-3389:Stack-based buffer overflow in the Ingres libbecompat library permits local privilege escalation by supplying a long environment variable value before launching certain Ingres utilities. The vulnerability affects Ingres 2.6 and Ingres 2006 releases (9.0.4 and 9.1.0) on Linux and HP-UX, exploitable via the verifydb, iimerge, or csreport programs.

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CVE-2008-3389 identifies a stack-based buffer overflow in the libbecompat library used by Ingres. The flaw exists in Ingres 2.6, Ingres 2006 release 1 (9.0.4), and Ingres 2006 release 2 (9.1.0) on Linux and HP-UX. A local attacker can trigger the overflow by setting an excessively long value in an environment variable prior to executing one of the affected utilities: verifydb, iimerge, or csreport. Successful exploitation could allow the attacker to gain elevated privileges within the system, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected Ingres deployment.

Overview

This vulnerability is a local privilege escalation caused by a stack-based buffer overflow in the libbecompat library used by certain Ingres releases on Linux and HP-UX. Exploitation requires a local attacker to prepare a specially crafted environment variable before invoking one of the affected binaries (verifydb, iimerge, or csreport). If exploited, the attacker could execute code with the privileges of the Ingres process, potentially gaining higher privileges on the host.

Remediation

  • Apply the vendor-provided security patch or upgrade to a version of Ingres that includes the fix for libbecompat (seek the latest security advisories from Ingres/CA and the OS vendor).
  • Review and implement vendor advisory 080108 and any related security advisories; apply all recommended mitigations and patches.
  • If upgrading is not immediately possible, implement mitigations such as restricting environment variables’ sizes, hardening the host to limit exposure of the affected binaries, and enforcing strict access controls to run verifydb, iimerge, and csreport only under least-privilege accounts.
  • Restrict or monitor the execution environment for the affected binaries; consider using application whitelisting or sandboxing to limit potential exploitation.
  • Validate remediation with vulnerability scans and, after applying patches, re-test to confirm the vulnerability cannot be reproduced.

References

  • 1020615 - SECTRACK: http://securitytracker.com/id?1020615
  • 20080801 Ingres Database for Linux libbecompat Stack Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability - IDEFENSE: http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/display.php?id=732
  • Ingres Security Alert 080108 - CONFIRM: http://www.ingres.com/support/security-alert-080108.php
  • ADV-2008-2292 - VUPEN: http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2292
  • 31398 - SECUNIA: http://secunia.com/advisories/31398
  • ADV-2008-2313 - VUPEN: http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2313
  • 31357 - SECUNIA: http://secunia.com/advisories/31357
  • ingres-libbecompat-bo(44179) - XF: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44179
  • 20080806 CA Products That Embed Ingres Multiple Vulnerabilities - BUGTRAQ: http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/495177/100/0/threaded
  • 30512 - BID: http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30512
  • CA Support Advisory (contentID 181989) - https://support.ca.com/irj/portal/anonymous/phpsupcontent?contentID=181989

Industry ExposureMost to least
This section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.

  1. Accommodation & Food Services: Low
    Accommodation & Food Services
  2. Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services: Low
    Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
  3. Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting: Low
    Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
  4. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation: Low
    Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
  5. Construction: Low
    Construction
  6. Educational Services: Low
    Educational Services
  7. Finance and Insurance: Low
    Finance and Insurance
  8. Health Care & Social Assistance: Low
    Health Care & Social Assistance
  9. Information: Low
    Information
  10. Management of Companies & Enterprises: Low
    Management of Companies & Enterprises
  11. Manufacturing: Low
    Manufacturing
  12. Mining: Low
    Mining
  13. Other Services (except Public Administration): Low
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  14. Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services: Low
    Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  15. Public Administration: Low
    Public Administration
  16. Real Estate Rental & Leasing: Low
    Real Estate Rental & Leasing
  17. Retail Trade: Low
    Retail Trade
  18. Transportation & Warehousing: Low
    Transportation & Warehousing
  19. Utilities: Low
    Utilities
  20. Wholesale Trade: Low
    Wholesale Trade

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  2. Identify True Risk.
  3. Proactively Mitigate Threats.

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