CVE-2002-0859 in SQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the OpenDataSource function of the Jet engine on Microsoft SQL Server 2000 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0859 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Jet database engine component of Microsoft SQL Server 2000. This issue specifically affects the OpenDataSource function which serves as an interface for connecting to external data sources through OLE DB providers. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the function implementation, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input can exceed the allocated buffer space and overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker sends specially crafted parameters to the OpenDataSource function through SQL Server's network interface. The buffer overflow enables attackers to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses and function pointers, allowing them to redirect program execution flow. This memory corruption can be leveraged to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the SQL Server service account, which typically runs with elevated system permissions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to database server security as it allows remote code execution without authentication requirements. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain complete control over affected SQL Server instances, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects all versions of SQL Server 2000 that utilize the Jet engine, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread deployment of this database platform in enterprise environments during that time period.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that violates secure coding practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as attackers can use the compromised system to execute malicious commands and escalate privileges. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Microsoft security patches, disabling unnecessary database features, implementing network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious database connection patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and memory safety practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other security standards that emphasize preventing buffer overflow conditions through proper boundary checking and secure programming methodologies.