CVE-2019-1359 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-2019-1358.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1359 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Windows Jet Database Engine, which forms a core component of Microsoft's database infrastructure. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the engine fails to properly handle objects in memory, creating a dangerous condition that allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The Jet Database Engine serves as the foundation for various Microsoft applications including Access, Outlook, and numerous enterprise solutions, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective. The flaw exists at the memory management level where the engine does not adequately validate or sanitize database objects during processing, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious database files that trigger the vulnerability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specially malformed database file that, when processed by the vulnerable Jet Database Engine, causes memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution. This typically occurs when applications that utilize the Jet engine open or process untrusted database files, such as .mdb or .accdb files. The memory handling flaw allows attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute malicious code with the privileges of the compromised process. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate application functionality, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network monitoring approaches. The flaw falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically relates to improper handling of memory objects in the context of database processing operations.
From an operational standpoint, the impact of CVE-2019-1359 extends across multiple attack vectors and system environments where Windows-based applications utilizing the Jet Database Engine are present. Organizations running Microsoft Access, Outlook, or other applications that rely on this engine are at risk, particularly when these applications process untrusted database content from email attachments, file shares, or web downloads. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely through email-based attacks where users open malicious attachments, or through web-based attacks where users browse to compromised websites hosting malicious database files. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or move laterally within networks. The vulnerability's presence in widely used Microsoft applications means that the attack surface is extensive, potentially affecting thousands of systems across enterprise environments. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and script interpreter, as successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1359 primarily focus on applying Microsoft's security patches and implementing administrative controls to reduce attack surface. Organizations should immediately deploy the security updates released by Microsoft that address the memory handling issues within the Jet Database Engine. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies can prevent unauthorized database applications from executing, while disabling unnecessary database file processing capabilities reduces the risk of exploitation. Network segmentation and email filtering solutions should be enhanced to detect and block malicious database attachments. Regular security assessments should include vulnerability scanning for systems running applications that utilize the Jet Database Engine, with particular attention to file processing capabilities and user permissions. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates comprehensive monitoring for unusual database processing activities and memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.