CVE-2019-1358 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-2019-1359.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-1358 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Windows Jet Database Engine component that forms part of Microsoft's database infrastructure stack. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the engine fails to properly handle objects in memory, creating a potential attack vector that adversaries can exploit to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The Jet Database Engine serves as the foundation for various Microsoft applications including Access databases, Outlook PST files, and numerous enterprise applications that rely on this database technology for data storage and retrieval operations.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from improper memory handling within the Jet Database Engine's object management processes. When processing specially crafted database files or objects, the engine's memory management routines fail to validate or properly sanitize input data, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation typically involves executing malicious code through command injection or direct memory manipulation. The vulnerability exists at the core of how the database engine manages object lifecycles and memory allocation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through legitimate database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack surfaces within Windows environments, particularly affecting systems running Microsoft Office applications, Exchange Server, and any software that utilizes the Jet Database Engine for data storage. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious database files or manipulating existing database objects in ways that trigger the memory handling flaw. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute code with the privileges of the targeted user, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within network environments. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not need physical access to target systems, enabling exploitation through network-based attacks via email attachments, web downloads, or other remote delivery mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1358 should prioritize immediate patch management through Microsoft's security updates, specifically addressing the identified memory handling flaws in the Jet Database Engine. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems that process external database content, while also deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of unauthorized database processing applications. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual database file processing activities, particularly those involving Microsoft Office applications or email clients that may trigger the vulnerable code paths. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege and regularly auditing database access permissions can help minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining detailed logging of database operations to support incident response activities.