A severe security vulnerability has been discovered in Microsoft's Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) OLE DB provider for SQL Server that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely. The vulnerability, known as CVE-2024-21367, has critical implications for organizations using the WDAC OLE DB provider for SQL Server, as it could give malicious actors unauthorized access to sensitive data, and take over affected systems resulting in potential data manipulation or loss.

In this post, we will discuss the details of this vulnerability, the potential impact, and how to mitigate it to keep your systems and data safe.

Overview of WDAC OLE DB Provider for SQL Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

According to the official CVE entry, the WDAC OLE DB Provider for SQL Server, a component in Microsoft's Windows Data Access Components, is vulnerable to remote code execution. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of user-supplied data, ultimately leading to a buffer overflow condition where an attacker could overwrite memory, inject malicious code, and execute it remotely.

More specifically, the flaw resides in the way the WDAC OLE DB Provider for SQL Server processes the "QueryInterface" function. By exploiting this vulnerability, a skilled attacker could gain unauthorized access to sensitive information and execute arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading to data loss or manipulation.

Here's a code snippet of an example exploit for this vulnerability

import oleDB.connection;

const char* exploit_payload = "AAAAAAAA..."; // Exploit payload with malicious code
string vulnerable_query = "SELECT * FROM vulnerable_table WHERE param='";

vulnerable_query.append(exploit_payload);
vulnerable_query.append("'"); // Completing the SQL query

try {
    SqlConnection connection = oleDB::CreateConnection();
    connection.open(connectionString);
    SqlCommand cmd = connection.CreateCommand();
    cmd.CommandText = vulnerable_query;

    SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

    // Access and manipulate data using the vulnerable query
    while (reader.Read()) {
        // ... Code to access and manipulate data ...
    }

    reader.Close();
    connection.Close();
} catch (SqlException ex) {
    // Handle exception
}

You can find more information about CVE-2024-21367 in the official CVE entry and the National Vulnerability Database detailing the vulnerability.

Impact of the WDAC OLE DB Provider for SQL Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

The extent of the potential damage caused by a successful exploitation of CVE-2024-21367 is severe. It includes:

Data manipulation, such as altering, deleting, or creating records within the database.

3. Complete takeover of the affected system, giving the attacker full control and the ability to execute additional malicious actions.

These implications highlight the importance of addressing this vulnerability as soon as possible.

Mitigating CVE-2024-21367: What You Need to Do Now

To reduce the risk of a successful exploitation of CVE-2024-21367, the following measures should be taken:

1. Apply the appropriate patches: Microsoft has released patches addressing this vulnerability. Please make sure to apply them as soon as possible to the affected systems. You can find the relevant patches and further guidance in Microsoft's Security Update Guide.

2. Implement proper input validation: Ensure all SQL queries used in conjunction with the WDAC OLE DB Provider for SQL Server have proper input validation, including checking for overly long strings, unexpected characters, and eliminating the possibility of SQL injection attacks.

3. Monitor your network for malicious activities: Keep a close eye on all incoming connections to your SQL Server instances, and be on the lookout for any unusual activity that may indicate an ongoing exploitation attempt targeting this vulnerability.

Conclusion

The CVE-2024-21367 vulnerability in Microsoft WDAC OLE DB Provider for SQL Server poses a serious threat to organizations using this technology, underlining the need for swift and effective action to mitigate the risks associated with this remote code execution vulnerability. By applying the recommended patches, implementing proper input validation, and closely monitoring the network for malicious activities, you can protect your systems and data from this critical security flaw.

Timeline

Published on: 02/13/2024 18:15:54 UTC
Last modified on: 03/05/2024 20:03:33 UTC