CVE-2024-21370 - Critical Microsoft WDAC OLE DB Provider for SQL Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Discovered

Microsoft has recently reported a critical vulnerability in their WDAC OLE DB Provider for SQL Server. The vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2024-21370 and has a high severity level due to the possibility of remote code execution by an attacker. This post aims to delve into the details of this vulnerability, including code snippets, original references, and exploit information to help defenders understand the threat and take necessary precautions.

Description

CVE-2024-21370 is a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Microsoft WDAC OLE DB Provider for SQL Server. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted request to the affected application, causing it to blindly read data from the provided buffer into memory. If successful, the attacker can leverage the buffer overflow to corrupt memory and execute arbitrary code remotely. A malicious user could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the SQL Server and execute unauthorized commands without the user's consent.

Code Snippet

The vulnerability lies in the handling of a specific instruction during a connection sequence through the OLE DB provider. When the affected application reads data from the vulnerable buffer, the application fails to properly validate the size of the input data, leading to a buffer overflow and subsequent memory corruption. The following code snippet demonstrates a simplified version of the vulnerable condition in the application:

void ReadBuffer(char *source, char *destination, size_t size) {
  // Vulnerable code: when size exceeds the size of the destination buffer.
  memcpy(destination, source, size);
}

Microsoft Security Advisory

Microsoft has published an official security advisory on this remote code execution vulnerability, which can be found at the following link:

Security Advisory - CVE-2024-21370

Exploit Information

There is currently no known public exploit for this vulnerability. Still, it is important to understand that once an attacker is aware of the vulnerability, they can potentially create an exploit by crafting requests and exploiting the vulnerable buffer access.

Mitigation and Patch Information

Microsoft has released security updates that address this vulnerability. Users and administrators are urged to apply the necessary patch to their SQL Server installations to avoid potential exploitation. The list of affected product versions and the corresponding security update can be found in the official security advisory:

- Affected Products and Security Updates

Patch deployment can be performed through the Microsoft Update Catalog, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), or the direct download link available in the security advisory.

Conclusion

CVE-2024-21370 is a critical vulnerability affecting the Microsoft WDAC OLE DB Provider for SQL Server. By exploiting this remote code execution vulnerability, an attacker can potentially compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the affected system. It is crucial for users and administrators running the affected application to apply the security updates provided by Microsoft immediately. Stay informed and vigilant about the latest threats to maintain a robust security posture and protect valuable assets from cybercriminals.

Timeline

Published on: 02/13/2024 18:15:54 UTC
Last modified on: 02/13/2024 18:22:53 UTC