CVE-2019-0538 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Jet Database Engine improperly handles objects in memory, aka "Jet Database Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-0575, CVE-2019-0576, CVE-2019-0577, CVE-2019-0578, CVE-2019-0579, CVE-2019-0580, CVE-2019-0581, CVE-2019-0582, CVE-2019-0583, CVE-2019-0584.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-0538 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Windows Jet Database Engine component that forms part of Microsoft's data storage infrastructure. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the engine fails to properly handle objects in memory, creating a condition that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The Jet Database Engine serves as a core component for various Microsoft applications including Access, Outlook, and numerous third-party applications that rely on database functionality, making this a widespread concern across multiple operating system versions and deployment scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper memory handling mechanisms within the Jet Database Engine, which falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability type classified as "Out-of-Bounds Read" and potentially related to CWE-787 "Out-of-bounds Write." Attackers can craft malicious database files or manipulate existing database objects in memory to trigger buffer overflow conditions or memory corruption scenarios that ultimately lead to arbitrary code execution. The flaw exists in the way the engine processes database objects during memory allocation and deallocation phases, particularly when handling complex database structures or malformed input data that should be properly validated and sanitized.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple Windows operating system versions including legacy systems like Windows Server 2008 and Server 2008 R2, as well as modern deployments such as Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019. Systems running affected versions are at risk of complete compromise when users open malicious database files or when applications process untrusted database content. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 "Exploitation for Client Execution" and T1059 "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access and execute malicious payloads. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation can occur without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where database files may be accessed through network shares or web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-0538 should prioritize immediate application of Microsoft security patches, particularly the cumulative update released in May 2019 that addresses this specific memory handling issue. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to database files and apply strict file validation controls for database content. The principle of least privilege should be enforced to prevent unauthorized database file creation or modification, while security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual database processing activities or file access patterns. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies can prevent execution of malicious database files, and regular security assessments should verify that database applications are properly configured to avoid loading untrusted content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of memory safety practices and proper input validation in database engines, aligning with industry standards that emphasize secure coding practices to prevent such memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.