CVE-2016-7251 in SQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the MDS API in Microsoft SQL Server 2016 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an unspecified parameter, aka "MDS API XSS Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2022
The CVE-2016-7251 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Master Data Services (MDS) API component of Microsoft SQL Server 2016. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting attacks where malicious scripts are injected into web applications. The MDS API serves as a critical interface for managing master data within SQL Server environments, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise organizations that rely heavily on data management systems. The flaw exists in the API's handling of user-supplied input, where insufficient validation and sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content through unspecified parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the MDS API's inadequate input validation mechanisms when processing requests from remote attackers. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that target the API endpoints, bypassing normal security controls that would typically prevent such injections. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious sites. The unspecified parameter nature suggests that multiple input vectors within the API could be affected, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and proper input sanitization that should be enforced at all application layers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using SQL Server 2016 with MDS functionality. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for systems accessible over the internet. Successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the affected systems, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors through the injected scripts. Organizations with extensive MDS implementations face elevated risk levels, as the vulnerability could be leveraged to access sensitive master data, including customer information, financial records, or operational data that forms the backbone of business operations. The vulnerability's presence in a database management system also means that attackers could potentially use it as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Security mitigations for CVE-2016-7251 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems through Microsoft's security updates, as well as implementing network-level controls to restrict access to MDS API endpoints. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests, while also implementing proper input validation and output encoding at the application level. The principle of defense in depth should be applied by segmenting access to MDS functionality and limiting the number of users with administrative privileges. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the broader application ecosystem. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework as a web application attack vector emphasizes the need for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response procedures that can detect and respond to such exploitation attempts effectively.