CVE-2016-7249 in SQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft SQL Server 2016 does not properly perform a cast of an unspecified pointer, which allows remote authenticated users to gain privileges via unknown vectors, aka "SQL RDBMS Engine Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7249 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Microsoft SQL Server 2016 that stems from improper handling of pointer casting operations. This issue affects the SQL RDBMS engine component and creates a pathway for authenticated remote attackers to escalate their privileges within the database system. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes certain data type conversions that involve unspecified pointer operations, creating potential for malicious code execution with elevated privileges.
From a technical perspective, the flaw occurs during the casting process of unspecified pointers within the SQL Server engine's memory management subsystem. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, or CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read scenarios. The improper pointer handling creates memory access violations that can be exploited to manipulate the execution flow of the database engine. The vulnerability's classification as an elevation of privilege issue indicates that attackers with valid database credentials can leverage this weakness to execute commands with higher privileges than originally granted.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7249 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive database information, modification capabilities, and possible lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Database administrators face significant risk since the vulnerability requires only authenticated access, meaning that any user with legitimate database connection privileges could potentially exploit this flaw. The remote nature of the attack vector allows threat actors to perform exploitation without requiring physical access to the database server, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where database systems are frequently accessed over network connections.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as part of the broader ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically categorized under T1068 which involves exploit for privilege escalation. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves crafting specific SQL queries or data inputs that trigger the problematic pointer casting behavior, potentially leading to unauthorized access to database resources, data manipulation, or even complete system compromise. Organizations running SQL Server 2016 should prioritize immediate patching and implementation of network segmentation measures to limit potential attack surfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7249 should include applying the official Microsoft security patches released in the July 2016 security updates, which specifically address this pointer casting vulnerability. Additionally, implementing network access controls to restrict database server access to only trusted IP addresses and employing principle of least privilege for database user accounts can significantly reduce the attack surface. Database administrators should also consider implementing comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unusual database activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on privilege escalation patterns and unauthorized data access attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper database access controls to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation in enterprise database environments.