CVE-2015-1761 in SQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 SP3 and SP4, 2008 R2 SP2 and SP3, 2012 SP1 and SP2, and 2014 uses an incorrect class during casts of unspecified pointers, which allows remote authenticated users to gain privileges by leveraging certain write access, aka "SQL Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1761 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Microsoft SQL Server across multiple versions including 2008 SP3 and SP4, 2008 R2 SP2 and SP3, 2012 SP1 and SP2, and 2014. This weakness stems from improper handling of pointer casting operations within the database engine's type conversion mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes unspecified pointers during cast operations, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input can manipulate the execution flow. According to CWE-264, this vulnerability falls under the category of permissions, privileges, and access control issues, where improper handling of type conversions creates an attack surface for privilege escalation. The flaw requires an authenticated user with write access to the database system to exploit effectively, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database users have elevated privileges or where administrative accounts are compromised.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the incorrect class usage during pointer casting operations within SQL Server's internal type conversion routines. When the database engine encounters certain unspecified pointer types during data conversion processes, it fails to properly validate or handle the memory references, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate memory addresses or execute code with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability typically operates through the manipulation of data type handling mechanisms within the database engine's query processor, where the improper casting can lead to memory corruption or privilege escalation conditions. The attack vector requires a user to already possess authenticated access to the SQL Server instance, which aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1077 for legitimate credentials and T1484 for domain policy manipulation. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it can be leveraged to escalate privileges from standard database user to system-level access, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest privileges available on the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1761 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exposure across entire database environments. Organizations running affected SQL Server versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with the ability to read, modify, or delete database contents with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal prerequisites beyond existing database write access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database users have broader permissions than necessary. Security analysts should note that this vulnerability can be particularly challenging to detect through standard monitoring techniques since the exploitation may appear as legitimate database operations. The risk assessment for this vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation categories and emphasizes the importance of proper access control and least privilege principles. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual database activities and ensure that database users maintain only the minimum required permissions to perform their duties, as outlined in the principle of least privilege from NIST SP 800-53.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1761 should focus on immediate patching of affected SQL Server versions, as Microsoft released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant security patches and updates from Microsoft's security bulletin MS15-058, which specifically addresses this elevation of privilege vulnerability. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Database administrators should conduct comprehensive access reviews to ensure that only necessary users have write privileges to database systems, and implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous database activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature suggests that organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited. Regular security training for database administrators and developers can help reduce the risk of exploitation by ensuring proper understanding of secure coding practices and access control mechanisms. Organizations should also maintain current vulnerability assessments and penetration testing programs to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure that security controls remain effective against evolving threats.