CVE-2024-49342 Overview
CVE-2024-49342 affects IBM Informix Dynamic Server versions 12.10 and 14.10. The database server ships with an inadequate account lockout setting that fails to throttle repeated failed authentication attempts. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to brute force account credentials over the network without prior authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-307: Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts and impacts the confidentiality of database accounts.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can perform sustained credential brute-force attacks against Informix database accounts, potentially gaining access to sensitive enterprise data stored in affected database instances.
Affected Products
- IBM Informix Dynamic Server 12.10
- IBM Informix Dynamic Server 14.10
- Deployments exposing Informix authentication endpoints to untrusted networks
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-28 - CVE-2024-49342 published to NVD
- 2025-08-06 - Last updated in NVD database
- Vendor Advisory - IBM published guidance at IBM Support Page
Technical Details for CVE-2024-49342
Vulnerability Analysis
IBM Informix Dynamic Server authenticates clients against operating system or database-managed accounts before granting query access. The affected versions do not enforce an adequate account lockout threshold after repeated failed login attempts. Attackers can submit large volumes of authentication requests against valid usernames without triggering account suspension or progressive delays.
The weakness aligns with [CWE-307], which covers the absence or insufficient strength of anti-automation controls on authentication interfaces. Successful brute force grants the attacker the privileges of the compromised account, exposing tables, stored procedures, and other database objects accessible to that principal.
The attack requires only network reachability to the Informix listener. No authentication, user interaction, or local access is needed. Confidentiality is directly impacted because credential disclosure yields data access, while integrity and availability are not directly affected by the lockout flaw itself.
Root Cause
The root cause is a configuration and design defect in how Informix tracks failed authentication attempts. The server either lacks a meaningful lockout counter or applies thresholds that allow attackers to iterate through credential dictionaries faster than legitimate users would trigger detection.
Attack Vector
A remote attacker connects to the Informix SQLI listener on its configured TCP port and issues repeated authentication requests with guessed passwords for known or enumerated usernames. Because failed attempts do not lock the target account within a reasonable window, the attacker can run automated password-spraying or dictionary attacks against high-value accounts such as informix or application service users.
The vulnerability mechanism is described in the IBM Support advisory for CVE-2024-49342. No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently available.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49342
Indicators of Compromise
- High volumes of failed authentication events in Informix online.log against one or more database accounts
- Repeated TCP connections to the Informix listener port from a single source or distributed sources within short time windows
- Authentication failures spanning multiple usernames originating from the same client IP, indicating password spraying
- Successful logins from unfamiliar source IPs immediately following bursts of failed attempts
Detection Strategies
- Parse Informix audit and message logs for repeated Listener-thread authentication failures and correlate by source address
- Deploy network monitoring to flag connection rate anomalies against the Informix service port
- Establish baselines for normal authentication failure rates per account and alert on statistical deviations
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Informix online.log and OS authentication logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation
- Alert on more than a defined threshold of failed logins per account per hour
- Track successful authentications that immediately follow failed attempt bursts as high-priority events
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49342
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fix referenced in the IBM Informix Dynamic Server advisory for versions 12.10 and 14.10
- Restrict network access to the Informix listener using firewall rules so only application servers and trusted administrators can reach the database port
- Rotate credentials for any account that may have been exposed to brute-force attempts and enforce strong password policies
- Review authentication logs for evidence of prior brute-force activity
Patch Information
IBM has published remediation guidance and fix levels on the IBM Support Page for CVE-2024-49342. Administrators should upgrade Informix Dynamic Server 12.10 and 14.10 instances to the vendor-specified fix pack that introduces enforced account lockout behavior.
Workarounds
- Place Informix instances behind a bastion host or VPN to eliminate direct network exposure of the authentication interface
- Implement OS-level lockout via PAM modules where Informix delegates authentication to the host operating system
- Use external rate-limiting controls such as fail2ban on the database host to block source IPs exhibiting repeated failed authentication
- Configure intrusion prevention signatures on perimeter devices to drop traffic from sources exceeding authentication failure thresholds
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
