CVE-2026-28224 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Firebird, an open-source relational database management system. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit a flaw in the database server, leading to a potential crash. The issue arises when the server processes an op_crypt_key_callback packet without prior authentication, resulting in a null pointer dereference. This flaw is present in versions prior to 5.0.4, 4.0.7, and 3.0.14.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.2, indicating a high severity level. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to prevent unauthorized server crashes. Risk to organizations includes server downtime and potential denial of service, particularly for those relying on Firebird for critical operations.
As of now, there is no known public exploit for this vulnerability, and it is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the nature of the attack—requiring only knowledge of the server's IP and port—means that organizations using vulnerable versions of Firebird should take this threat seriously.
Organizations must assess their exposure and take action to mitigate this vulnerability to ensure the integrity and availability of their database systems.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability in question allows an unauthenticated attacker to crash the Firebird server. When the server receives an op_crypt_key_callback packet without prior authentication, the port_server_crypt_callback handler fails to initialize, resulting in a null pointer dereference and server crash. The affected versions include all releases prior to 5.0.4, 4.0.7, and 3.0.14.
The official CVSS score is 8.2, classified as high severity. The vulnerability's CWE classification is CWE-476, indicating a null pointer dereference issue. This flaw can significantly impact the availability of the database, making it critical for organizations to apply the available patches.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is a failure to properly authenticate requests before processing cryptographic operations. The attack vector is network-based, requiring no special privileges or user interaction. An attacker only needs to know the server's IP address and port number to exploit this vulnerability.
The attack complexity is low, as the attacker can trigger a crash without any specialized skills. When successful, this exploit results in high availability impact, as the server will become unresponsive. The integrity impact is low, as the attacker does not have the ability to modify data.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using vulnerable versions of Firebird face significant risks. The potential for an attacker to crash the database server can lead to operational disruptions and loss of service. Furthermore, the lack of authentication required for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning.
Given the CVSS score of 8.2 and the fact that the vulnerability is not currently listed in the KEV catalog, organizations should assess their risk and patch any vulnerable systems as part of their immediate response strategy. The urgency for organizations is high, as failure to address this vulnerability can result in severe availability issues.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected versions include Firebird 3.0.0 through 3.0.13, Firebird 4.0.0 through 4.0.6, and Firebird 5.0.0 through 5.0.3. Organizations should update to versions 5.0.4, 4.0.7, or 3.0.14, which contain the patch for this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize applying patches for this vulnerability. Upgrade to Firebird versions 5.0.4, 4.0.7, or 3.0.14 to mitigate the risk of exploitation. If a patch cannot be applied immediately, organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the database server from untrusted networks.
For further security assessments, organizations may consider conducting a security assessment to identify additional vulnerabilities and improve their security posture.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor server logs for unusual packet types, particularly op_crypt_key_callback packets that arrive without authentication. Additionally, monitoring for unexpected server crashes can indicate attempted exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2026-28224 represents a significant risk for organizations using Firebird. As database servers are critical infrastructure, understanding and mitigating such vulnerabilities is vital. This incident highlights the importance of regular patching and monitoring to protect against potential attacks.
Organizations should be proactive in their security measures and consider adopting a penetration testing service to regularly assess their security posture against emerging threats.
For organizations looking to enhance their security frameworks, the adoption of a red teaming service can provide valuable insights into potential vulnerabilities and attack vectors.
Lastly, organizations should engage in continuous security testing and remediation practices to stay ahead of threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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