Security Bulletin
Summary
Informix Server is affected by a problem related to the SSL implementation which, under very specific conditions, can cause CPU utilization to rapidly increase.
Vulnerability Details
CVE ID: CVE-2014-0963
DESCRIPTION:
Informix Server is affected by a problem with the handling of certain SSL messages. The TLS implementation can, under very specific conditions, cause CPU utilization to rapidly increase. The situation occurs only in a certain error case that causes a single thread to begin looping. If this happens multiple times, more threads will begin to loop and an increase in CPU utilization will be seen. This increase could ultimately result in CPU exhaustion and unresponsiveness of the Informix Server and other software running on the affected system.
This issue can affect the availability of the system, but does not impact system confidentiality or integrity. This vulnerability can be remotely exploited, authentication is not required and the exploit is moderately complex.
To determine if your systems are being affected by this issue, you can monitor the CPU utilization for Informix Server instances.
CVSS Base Score: 7.1
CVSS Temporal Score: See https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/92844 for the current score
CVSS Environmental Score*: Undefined
CVSS Vector: (AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C)
Affected Products and Versions
Informix Server 11.50, 11.70 and 12.10
Remediation/Fixes
|
Product | Remediation/First Fix |
| Informix Server 12.10 | Upgrade to 12.10.xC4 or download and install GSKit (see next section) |
| Informix Server 11.70 | Upgrade to future release or download and install GSKit (see next section) |
| Informix Server 11.50 | Upgrade and install GSKit (see next section) |
Upgrading GSKit:
- Download the appropriate GSKit using the following table:
- Unix/Linux instructions:
- Copy the downloaded tar file(s) to $INFORMIXDIR/gskit. Note: the old gskit .tar files must be removed or renamed to not end in .tar.
- Bring the database server offline. (e.g. onmode -ky).
- Change to the GSKit directory (cd $INFORMIXDIR/gskit).
- As root, run "./installgskit".
- To verify the installation, run the appropriate command (i.e. gsk7ver, gsk7ver_64, gsk8ver or gsk8ver_64) for the GSKit you installed. The new version should be 7.0.4.50 or 8.0.50.20.
- Windows GSkit version 7 x86_32 instructions:
- Copy/download the gsk7d_7.0.4.50_win32.exe file to C:\tmp.
- Start the 'cmd' program.
- Change to the C:\temp directory (cd c:\tmp).
- Run "gsk7d_7.0.4.50_win32.exe /D tmp". This will extract the files to the C:\tmp\tmp directory.
- Change to the C:\tmp\tmp directory (cd C:\tmp\tmp).
- Run "setup GSK7BAS". Accept all of the defaults.
- To verify the installation, run gsk7ver to verify the installation. The new version should be 7.0.4.50.
- All other Windows versions instructions:
- Copy/download the appropriate file (gsk7d_7.0.4.50_win64.msi, gsk8ssl32.exe or gsk8ssl64.exe) to C:\tmp.
- Using Windows Explorer, double click on the downloaded file. This will start Install Shield. Accept all of the defaults.
- To verify the installation, run the appropriate command (i.e. gsk7ver_64, gsk8ver or gsk8ver_64) for the GSKit you installed. The new version should be 7.0.4.50 or 8.0.50.20.
| Product | Required GSKit version | GSKit link |
| Informix Server 12.10 Informix Server 11.70 (all platforms other than HP-UX PA-RISC) | 8.0.50.20 | AIX (pSeries_32, pSeries_64) HP-UX (Itanium_32, Itanium_64) Linux (x86_32, x86_64, pSeries_64, zSeries_32, zSeries_64) Solaris (SPARC_32, SPARC_64, x86_32, x86_64) Windows (x86_32, x86_64) |
| Informix Server 11.70 (HP-UX PA-RISC platforms only) | 7.0.4.50 | HP-UX (PA-RISC_32, PA-RISC_64) |
| Informix Server 11.50 | 7.0.4.50 | AIX (pSeries_32, pSeries_64) HP-UX (Itanium_32, Itanium_64, PA-RISC_32, PA-RISC_64) Linux (x86_32, x86_64, pSeries_64, zSeries_32, zSeries_64) Solaris (SPARC_32, SPARC_64, x86_32, x86_64) Windows (x86_32, x86_64) |
Workarounds and Mitigations
Monitor CPU utilization of your Program Name instances. If utilization becomes abnormally high, stop and restart the affected instance.
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Important Note
IBM strongly suggests that all System z customers be subscribed to the System z Security Portal to receive the latest critical System z security and integrity service. If you are not subscribed, see the instructions on the System z Security web site. Security and integrity APARs and associated fixes will be posted to this portal. IBM suggests reviewing the CVSS scores and applying all security or integrity fixes as soon as possible to minimize any potential risk.
References
Change History
14 May 2014: Original copy published
*The CVSS Environment Score is customer environment specific and will ultimately impact the Overall CVSS Score. Customers can evaluate the impact of this vulnerability in their environments by accessing the links in the Reference section of this Security Bulletin.
Disclaimer
Review the IBM security bulletin disclaimer and definitions regarding your responsibilities for assessing potential impact of security vulnerabilities to your environment.
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Document Information
Modified date:
16 June 2018
UID
swg21673008