DB2 and associated applications must reserve the use of dynamic code execution for situations that require it.

From IBM DB2 V10.5 LUW Security Technical Implementation Guide

Part of SRG-APP-000251-DB-000391

Associated with: CCI-001310

SV-89185r1_rule DB2 and associated applications must reserve the use of dynamic code execution for situations that require it.

Vulnerability discussion

With respect to database management systems, one class of threat is known as SQL Injection, or more generally, code injection. It takes advantage of the dynamic execution capabilities of various programming languages, including dialects of SQL. In such cases, the attacker deduces the manner in which SQL statements are being processed, either from inside knowledge or by observing system behavior in response to invalid inputs. When the attacker identifies scenarios where SQL queries are being assembled by application code (which may be within the database or separate from it) and executed dynamically, the attacker is then able to craft input strings that subvert the intent of the query. Potentially, the attacker can gain unauthorized access to data, including security settings, and severely corrupt or destroy the database.The principal protection against code injection is not to use dynamic execution except where it provides necessary functionality that cannot be utilized otherwise. Use strongly typed data items rather than general-purpose strings as input parameters to task-specific, pre-compiled stored procedures and functions (and triggers).This calls for the review of applications, which will require collaboration with the application developers. It is recognized that in many cases the database administrator (DBA) is organizationally separate from the application developers, and may have limited, if any, access to source code. Nevertheless, protections of this type are so important to the secure operation of databases that they must not be ignored. At a minimum, the DBA must attempt to obtain assurances from the development organization that this issue is addressed, and must document what has been discovered.

Check content

Review DBMS source code (stored procedures, functions, triggers) and application source code, to identify cases of dynamic code execution. If dynamic code execution is employed in circumstances where the objective could practically be satisfied by static execution with strongly typed parameters, this is a finding.

Fix text

Where dynamic code execution is employed in circumstances where the objective could practically be satisfied by static execution with strongly typed parameters, modify the code to do so.

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