Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This flaw affects IBM Db2 servers on Linux, UNIX, and Windows, including DB2 Connect Server. A local attacker could trigger a buffer overflow and gain root-level code execution. The main business risk is full takeover of a database host after local access is obtained.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for production database hosts because successful exploitation could give root control of systems storing critical data. Urgency is high, but the known prerequisite is local access.
Technical view
CVE-2019-4014 is a local buffer overflow in IBM DB2/Db2 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, and 11.1. The CVE description says an authenticated local attacker could execute arbitrary code as root. CVSS is 8.4 high, with low attack complexity, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to organizations running affected IBM DB2/Db2 or DB2 Connect Server versions on database hosts where local access is possible. Internet exposure alone is not indicated by the sources.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. IBM X-Force exploit maturity is listed as unproven, so treat exploitation status as unknown, not actively exploited.
Researcher notes
The public description is concise and does not include root cause details, affected binaries, or proof-of-concept information. Avoid assuming remote exploitation. Validate exposure by version and local-access paths, then map remediation to IBM guidance.
Mitigation direction
- Review IBM advisory 10878793 for fixed levels and vendor instructions.
- Apply IBM-recommended updates for affected Db2 versions.
- Inventory DB2 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, and 11.1 deployments.
- Restrict local shell access to database servers to trusted administrators.
- Prioritize hosts processing sensitive or regulated data.
Validation and detection
- Confirm installed Db2 version and edition on each database host.
- Check whether DB2 Connect Server is deployed in the environment.
- Verify patch level against IBM advisory 10878793.
- Review local user access on affected database hosts.
- Confirm remediation through vulnerability scanning or configuration inventory.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Execution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2019-4014 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.4 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/UI:N/S:U/PR:N/A:H/AC:L/C:H/AV:L/I:H/RL:O/RC:C/E:U
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.0/UI:N/S:U/PR:N/A:H/AC:L/C:H/AV:L/I:H/RL:O/RC:C/E:U2.55.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
8.4HighVector: CVSS:3.0/UI:N/S:U/PR:N/A:H/AC:L/C:H/AV:L/I:H/RL:O/RC:C/E:U
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=ibm10878793CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- ibm-db2-cve20194014-bo (155892)CVE reference · vdb-entry, x_refsource_XF
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.