CVE-2020-1401 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-2020-1400, CVE-2020-1407.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1401 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Windows Jet Database Engine component that forms part of Microsoft's database 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 the foundation for various Microsoft applications including Access, Outlook, and numerous third-party applications that rely on Microsoft's database technology stack. The flaw impacts Windows operating systems including Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019, making it a widespread concern across enterprise environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the Jet Database Engine's object management processes. When processing specially crafted database files or objects, the engine fails to validate memory boundaries properly, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. This improper handling allows attackers to manipulate memory contents and potentially overwrite critical execution pointers or inject malicious code into the target system's memory space. The vulnerability operates at a low level within the database engine's memory management subsystem, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing scenarios where database files are processed automatically by the system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise security postures and can result in complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within network environments. The remote execution capability means that exploitation can occur without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly attractive to threat actors conducting large-scale attacks. Organizations utilizing Microsoft Office applications, database systems, or any software components that rely on Jet Database Engine functionality face immediate security concerns, as the vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate user interactions with maliciously crafted database files. The potential for widespread impact extends beyond individual systems to entire network infrastructures, particularly in environments where database files are frequently shared or automatically processed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-1401 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, specifically addressing the Windows Jet Database Engine vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of systems that process database files, particularly those that automatically open or process external database content. Security controls should include email filtering mechanisms that block potentially malicious database attachments and application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted database files. System administrators should disable unnecessary database file processing capabilities and ensure that all systems are running the latest security patches. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious file access patterns, implementing intrusion detection systems, and conducting regular security assessments of database processing workflows. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter and CWE-121 for stack-based buffer overflow, indicating the need for both defensive and detection measures to protect against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing zero-trust network principles and maintaining comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.