CVE-2004-0197 in Jet Database Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Microsoft Jet Database Engine 4.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a specially-crafted database query.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0197 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Microsoft Jet Database Engine version 4.0 which serves as the foundation for various Microsoft Office applications and database systems. This flaw exists in the way the engine processes database queries, specifically when handling malformed or specially crafted input data that exceeds allocated buffer boundaries. The Jet Database Engine, widely used in Microsoft Access and other applications, processes database operations through a complex series of memory management functions that become compromised when encountering oversized data structures. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables remote code execution, meaning attackers can exploit this flaw from distant locations without requiring local system access or credentials.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs during the parsing and execution of database queries where the engine fails to properly validate input lengths before copying data into fixed-size memory buffers. When an attacker crafts a malicious database query containing oversized data elements, the engine attempts to store this data in memory locations that are insufficient to accommodate the input, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite critical program execution pointers or return addresses. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory corruption. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to manipulate the program flow by overwriting memory contents, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application process.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0197 extends far beyond simple data corruption, as it provides attackers with a pathway for complete system compromise when the vulnerable Jet Database Engine is in use. Systems running Microsoft Access, Outlook, or any application utilizing Jet 4.0 for database operations become vulnerable to exploitation, including web applications that utilize Microsoft Office components for data processing. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code on target systems, potentially escalating privileges to system level access, establishing persistent backdoors, or deploying additional malware payloads. The remote exploitation capability makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through network-based attacks without requiring physical access to the target system, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. Organizations using legacy Microsoft Office versions or applications that depend on the vulnerable Jet engine face significant risk exposure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0197 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural security improvements. Microsoft released patches for this vulnerability through their regular security updates, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches to all affected systems. However, given the age of this vulnerability, many systems may be running outdated software versions that no longer receive support, requiring more comprehensive solutions such as network segmentation to isolate vulnerable applications, implementing application whitelisting policies, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of Jet Database Engine 4.0 usage within their environment and consider migrating to more modern database technologies that provide better security features and active support. Network monitoring should specifically look for unusual database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while security teams should implement proper input validation at all application layers to prevent malformed data from reaching vulnerable components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software security patches and proper application architecture design to prevent such memory corruption flaws from being exploited in real-world scenarios.