CVE-2024-31882 is a vulnerability identified in IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows (including Db2 Connect Server) versions 11.1 and 11.5. The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements in data query logic (CWE-943), which allows an authenticated user with low privileges to craft a specific SQL statement that can cause the database server to crash, resulting in a denial of service (DoS). This vulnerability manifests only under certain non-default configurations, implying that typical default installations may not be vulnerable. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires high attack complexity (AC:H), low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and affects availability only (A:H) without impacting confidentiality or integrity. The vulnerability was published on August 14, 2024, with a CVSS v3.1 score of 5.3, categorizing it as medium severity. No public exploits have been reported yet, and no patches are linked at the time of this report. The vulnerability is tracked under IBM X-Force ID 287614 and is assigned CWE-943, indicating a failure to properly sanitize or neutralize special elements in SQL queries, which can lead to unexpected behavior such as crashes. This flaw can disrupt database availability, potentially impacting business operations relying on IBM Db2 databases.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-31882 is on the availability of critical database services. Organizations using IBM Db2 11.1 or 11.5 in sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government could experience service interruptions if the vulnerability is exploited. Denial of service in database servers can lead to downtime, loss of productivity, delayed transactions, and potential cascading effects on dependent applications and services. Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access, insider threats or compromised credentials could be leveraged to exploit it. The medium severity rating reflects that while confidentiality and integrity are not directly impacted, the availability disruption can still cause significant operational and reputational damage. European organizations with stringent uptime requirements and regulatory obligations for data availability may face compliance risks if service disruptions occur. Additionally, the lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation before active attacks emerge.

1. Monitor IBM’s official security advisories closely and apply patches or updates as soon as they become available for Db2 versions 11.1 and 11.5. 2. Review and harden database configurations to avoid non-default settings that enable this vulnerability, ensuring that SQL query parsing and execution are as restrictive as possible. 3. Enforce strict access controls and multi-factor authentication for all users with database access to reduce the risk of exploitation by low-privilege authenticated users. 4. Implement comprehensive logging and monitoring of SQL queries and database server health to detect unusual or malformed queries and early signs of crashes. 5. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on database query handling and injection vectors to identify and remediate weaknesses. 6. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing database availability incidents to minimize downtime and business impact if exploitation occurs. 7. Segment database servers within the network to limit exposure and contain potential attacks. 8. Educate database administrators and developers about secure coding and query construction practices to prevent injection-related vulnerabilities.