CVE-2005-0441 in Adaptive Server Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) 12.x before 12.5.3 ESD#1 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via the (1) attrib_valid function, (2) covert function, (3) declare statement, or (4) a crafted query plan, or remote authenticated users with database owner or "sa" role privileges to execute arbitrary code via (5) a crafted install java statement.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0441 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow issue affecting Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise version 12.x prior to 12.5.3 ESD#1. This flaw exists across multiple functions within the database engine and provides attackers with pathways to achieve arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by authenticated users who have established connections to the database, making it a significant risk for environments where database access is granted to multiple users. The affected functions include attrib_valid, covert, and declare statement processing, which are fundamental components of the database query execution pipeline. These buffer overflows occur when the application fails to properly validate input lengths before copying data to fixed-size stack buffers, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially control the execution flow of the process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the Sybase ASE database engine. When processing database queries, the system does not sufficiently check the length of user-provided data before copying it into stack-based buffers that have predetermined sizes. This allows attackers to craft malicious inputs that exceed buffer boundaries, causing stack corruption that can be leveraged to inject and execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability affects multiple attack vectors including query plan processing, which represents a sophisticated approach to exploitation since it allows attackers to manipulate the execution path of database operations. The presence of multiple vulnerable functions increases the attack surface and provides attackers with alternative exploitation methods, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as defenders must secure multiple code paths rather than a single point of failure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise when attackers possess database owner or sa role privileges. These elevated privileges combined with the buffer overflow vulnerability create a particularly dangerous scenario where attackers can not only execute arbitrary code but also potentially escalate their privileges further within the database environment. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the database server, making the vulnerability exploitable from any location with network access to the database. The affected version range indicates this was a long-standing issue that affected numerous production systems, with the vulnerability being present across the 12.x series before the 12.5.3 ESD#1 patch release. This widespread exposure demonstrates the critical nature of the flaw and the importance of timely patch management for database systems.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the official patches released by Sybase, specifically the 12.5.3 ESD#1 update which addressed the buffer overflow conditions in the affected functions. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to database servers and enforce strict authentication controls to minimize the risk of unauthorized access. Database access controls should be carefully reviewed to ensure that only necessary users have the privileges required to execute potentially dangerous statements such as install java commands. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified under the broader category of buffer overflow weaknesses that occur when data is written beyond the boundaries of a fixed-length buffer on the stack. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability would map to multiple ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and code injection, as attackers could leverage the buffer overflow to execute malicious code with the privileges of the database process. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper bounds checking in database engine implementations, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of database management systems.