CVE-2023-32038 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 07/11/2023
Microsoft ODBC Driver Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2026
This vulnerability resides within the Microsoft ODBC Driver component which serves as a critical interface for database connectivity across numerous enterprise applications and systems. The flaw represents a remote code execution vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring authentication. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the ODBC driver's handling of specific database connection strings and query parameters. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious database connection requests that trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions within the driver's processing logic. This creates a pathway for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application or service account. The impact extends across multiple Microsoft products including SQL Server, Windows operating systems, and various third-party applications that rely on ODBC connectivity for database operations. The vulnerability affects versions of Microsoft ODBC Driver from 2016 through the latest releases, making it particularly dangerous as it impacts a widely deployed component across enterprise environments. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability under CWE-121 for buffer overflow conditions and CWE-78 for command injection, both of which are fundamental weaknesses in software security design. The attack surface is extensive given that ODBC drivers are used by hundreds of applications including enterprise resource planning systems, customer relationship management platforms, and custom business applications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, demonstrating how attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access and move laterally within networks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring any user interaction or prior access to the target system. Organizations using Microsoft ODBC drivers should immediately implement security patches from Microsoft's security bulletin updates. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict unnecessary database connectivity, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous database connection patterns. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of keeping database connectivity components up to date and following secure coding practices that prevent buffer overflows and input validation failures in database driver implementations.