CVE-2019-0899 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 CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-0889, CVE-2019-0890, CVE-2019-0891, CVE-2019-0893, CVE-2019-0894, CVE-2019-0895, CVE-2019-0896, CVE-2019-0897, CVE-2019-0898, CVE-2019-0900, CVE-2019-0901, CVE-2019-0902.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-0899 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Windows Jet Database Engine component that forms part of Microsoft's database infrastructure. This engine serves as the foundation for various Microsoft applications including Access, Outlook, and numerous enterprise systems that rely on structured data storage and retrieval. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the engine fails to properly handle objects in memory, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted database files can trigger arbitrary code execution on affected systems. The flaw resides in the memory management routines that process database objects, allowing attackers to manipulate memory structures through carefully constructed input data that the engine processes without adequate validation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow pattern where insufficient bounds checking enables attackers to overwrite memory locations with malicious payloads. When the Jet Database Engine processes specially crafted database files, it encounters objects that exceed expected memory boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the compromised process. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of Windows including Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and various Windows 10 releases, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread deployment of these operating systems. The attack vector requires remote code execution through database file manipulation, typically involving email attachments, web downloads, or file shares that contain maliciously formatted database content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments where database processing is common and file sharing occurs frequently. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potential network-wide infiltration, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access points within organizational networks. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121, which describes 'Stack-based Buffer Overflow', and its alignment with ATT&CK technique T1203, 'Exploitation for Client Execution', highlights the multi-layered threat landscape this flaw creates. Organizations using Microsoft Office applications, database servers, or any system that processes external database files are at risk, particularly those with limited network segmentation or outdated patch management processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-0899 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft's security patches released in the May 2019 update cycle, which address the memory handling issues within the Jet Database Engine. Network administrators should implement strict file validation policies, particularly for database files received through email or downloaded from untrusted sources, utilizing content inspection tools and application whitelisting where possible. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual database processing activities or file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit lateral movement capabilities if exploitation occurs, and establish robust incident response procedures that include forensic analysis of database file processing activities. The vulnerability's severity classification as critical by Microsoft underscores the necessity for immediate remediation, as the attack surface remains extensive across multiple Windows operating system versions and application contexts.