CVE-2021-29678Network attack vector

Cross-database and file access via improper authorization

Published Dec 9, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Improper authorization in IBM Db2 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5 allows remote authenticated users to access other databases. The affected authorization checks govern UTL_DIR, CREATE_EXTERNAL_ROUTINE, and CREATE_NOT_FENCED_ROUTINE, but IBM has not disclosed the failing code path or operation. DBADM authority is required, after which the user can read or modify host files and data outside the authorized database.

CVSS severity8.7
High
EPSS probability1.09%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper authorization in IBM Db2 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5 allows remote authenticated users to access other databases. The affected authorization checks govern UTL_DIR, CREATE_EXTERNAL_ROUTINE, and CREATE_NOT_FENCED_ROUTINE, but IBM has not disclosed the failing code path or operation. DBADM authority is required, after which the user can read or modify host files and data outside the authorized database.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-29678
Published
Dec 9, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
IBM
Product
IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows
Classifications
CWE-863, T1565.001, T1005
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 9, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 16, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=10.1
  2. Affected versionversion=10.5
  3. Affected versionversion=11.1
  4. Affected versionversion=11.5
  5. Affected versionversion=9.7

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

IBM · IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windowsversion=10.1; version=10.5; version=11.1; version=11.5; version=9.7

Published CVSS scores

8.7NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N
8.7IBM CorporationCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-863Incorrect Authorization
T1565.001Stored Data Manipulation
T1005Data from Local System

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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