CVE-2019-1463 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists in Microsoft Access software when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka 'Microsoft Access Information Disclosure Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-1400.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2024
The Microsoft Access information disclosure vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1463 represents a critical security flaw in the Microsoft Access software suite that emerged in 2019. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory, creating an information disclosure scenario that could potentially expose sensitive data to unauthorized parties. The flaw affects various versions of Microsoft Access and poses significant risks to organizations that rely on this database management system for business operations. Unlike CVE-2019-1400 which addresses a different vulnerability within the same software family, CVE-2019-1463 focuses specifically on memory handling mechanisms that are fundamental to the software's operation and data protection capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within Microsoft Access when processing various objects and data structures. When the software encounters certain file formats or database objects, it fails to properly sanitize or validate memory references, leading to potential data leakage through memory corruption or improper object handling. This flaw typically occurs during the processing of malformed or specially crafted database files that trigger memory access violations or buffer overflows. The vulnerability operates at the memory management layer where the software's internal object handling routines do not adequately protect against unauthorized data exposure, creating a pathway for information disclosure that could include sensitive database contents, user credentials, or system information.
From an operational perspective, this information disclosure vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations utilizing Microsoft Access for business-critical applications and data management. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain access to confidential information stored within Access databases, including personal data, financial records, or proprietary business information. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as the vulnerability could enable further exploitation attempts, such as privilege escalation or additional attack vectors that leverage the leaked information. Organizations that store sensitive data in Access databases, particularly those in regulated industries, face heightened compliance risks and potential regulatory penalties if this vulnerability is exploited successfully. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in data breaches, loss of competitive advantage, and damage to organizational reputation.
Security mitigations for CVE-2019-1463 primarily focus on applying Microsoft's official security patches and updates released to address the specific memory handling flaw. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the relevant security updates from Microsoft's official channels and ensure comprehensive testing before implementation to prevent operational disruptions. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict file validation protocols for database imports, monitoring for unusual memory access patterns, and establishing robust access controls for database files. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit potential attack surface, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar memory handling vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and may map to ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and data extraction, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader threat landscape.