CVE-2023-21798 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2023
Microsoft ODBC Driver Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2023
The CVE-2023-21798 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Microsoft ODBC Driver versions 18.1.0 and earlier, specifically affecting systems running Windows operating systems. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation in the ODBC driver's handling of certain database connection parameters, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw exists in the driver's processing of connection strings and parameter values, particularly when dealing with malformed or specially crafted inputs that can trigger buffer overflow conditions or other memory corruption vulnerabilities. Security researchers identified this issue during routine vulnerability assessments of Microsoft's database connectivity components, highlighting the dangerous implications of insufficient sanitization in database driver interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully constructed ODBC connection strings that leverage memory corruption flaws in the driver's parsing logic. When a maliciously crafted connection string is processed by the vulnerable ODBC driver, it can trigger a buffer overflow condition that allows attackers to overwrite critical memory locations and inject malicious code. This memory corruption typically manifests when the driver attempts to parse connection parameters containing oversized or malformed input values, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be leveraged for code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because ODBC drivers are commonly used across enterprise environments for database connectivity, making the attack surface extensive. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability maps to a stack-based buffer overflow condition, while ATT&CK technique T1059.007 indicates the potential for command execution through database interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-21798 extends significantly across enterprise environments where Microsoft ODBC drivers are deployed, potentially enabling attackers to gain full system compromise without requiring additional privileges. Organizations using affected versions of the ODBC driver face risks including unauthorized data access, data exfiltration, system persistence mechanisms, and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because database connectivity is fundamental to business operations, and attackers can exploit this flaw to access sensitive corporate databases, customer information, financial records, and other critical data assets. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability from remote locations, making it a significant threat vector for nation-state actors, cybercriminal organizations, and insider threats. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation means that even unauthenticated attackers can potentially trigger the vulnerability through database connection attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-21798 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and network-based protections. Microsoft has released security updates that address the vulnerability through patches for affected ODBC driver versions, requiring organizations to apply these updates promptly across all systems utilizing the vulnerable components. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to database servers from untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual database connection patterns or malformed connection strings. Organizations should also implement least privilege principles for database access, ensuring that applications and users have minimal required permissions to reduce potential impact from successful exploitation. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable ODBC driver versions and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing database driver vulnerabilities. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before production deployment to prevent service disruption while ensuring complete vulnerability remediation.