CVE-2023-34230 in snowflake-connector-net
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2023
snowflake-connector-net, the Snowflake Connector for .NET, is vulnerable to command injection prior to version 2.0.18 via SSO URL authentication. In order to exploit the potential for command injection, an attacker would need to be successful in (1) establishing a malicious resource and (2) redirecting users to utilize the resource. The attacker could set up a malicious, publicly accessible server which responds to the SSO URL with an attack payload. If the attacker then tricked a user into visiting the maliciously crafted connection URL, the user’s local machine would render the malicious payload, leading to a remote code execution. This attack scenario can be mitigated through URL whitelisting as well as common anti-phishing resources. Version 2.0.18 fixes this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2023
The snowflake-connector-net vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw that emerged in versions prior to 2018, specifically affecting the Single Sign-On URL authentication mechanism within the .NET connector for Snowflake database services. This vulnerability resides in the connector's handling of SSO URLs and demonstrates a classic insecure input validation issue that allows attackers to inject malicious commands into the execution flow. The flaw enables remote code execution when users are tricked into visiting a maliciously crafted connection URL that contains attacker-controlled payloads. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data compromise as it provides adversaries with full control over the victim's local machine through command injection techniques. The attack vector requires the attacker to establish a malicious resource and successfully redirect users to utilize this resource, making it a sophisticated social engineering challenge that combines technical exploitation with user manipulation. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, which specifically address command injection and code injection flaws in software applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the connector's improper sanitization of SSO URL parameters during the authentication process. When users attempt to authenticate through SSO mechanisms, the connector processes the provided URL without adequate validation or sanitization of the input parameters. This allows attackers to craft malicious URLs that contain command injection payloads, which are then executed on the victim's local machine when the connection is established. The exploitation process involves setting up a publicly accessible server that responds to the SSO URL with a crafted attack payload, effectively creating a man-in-the-middle scenario. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting the malicious URL, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently connect to external services. The attack scenario follows the typical pattern of phishing campaigns combined with credential compromise techniques, where the malicious payload execution occurs locally on the user's machine rather than on the remote server, making detection more challenging.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-34230 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access to Snowflake databases, as it provides attackers with complete control over user workstations through remote code execution capabilities. This vulnerability allows adversaries to execute arbitrary commands on behalf of authenticated users, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, and lateral movement within enterprise networks. The attack requires successful social engineering to trick users into visiting malicious URLs, but once successful, it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for extended periods. Organizations using snowflake-connector-net versions prior to 2.0.18 face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users have administrative privileges or access to sensitive data. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete system compromise, as attackers can install malware, modify system configurations, or establish backdoors for continued access. Additionally, the impact on business continuity is substantial, as successful exploitation can lead to data breaches, compliance violations, and regulatory penalties. The vulnerability also enables advanced persistent threat campaigns where attackers can establish covert communication channels and maintain long-term access to compromised systems.
The remediation approach for CVE-2023-34230 involves immediate upgrading to version 2.0.18 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms for SSO URL parameters. Organizations should implement comprehensive URL whitelisting policies to prevent users from accessing untrusted SSO endpoints, particularly in enterprise environments where network access controls are critical. The fix addresses the root cause by ensuring that SSO URLs are properly validated and sanitized before being processed by the connector, preventing malicious payloads from being executed. Additional mitigations include implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls and DNS filtering to block access to known malicious domains. Security awareness training for users should emphasize the importance of verifying connection URLs before authentication and recognizing phishing attempts that attempt to redirect users to malicious SSO endpoints. The vulnerability's resolution aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques related to command and scripting interpreter and social engineering, demonstrating how proper input validation can prevent both technical exploitation and social engineering attacks. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred prior to implementing the patch, as the vulnerability could have been used to establish persistent access to systems. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should include detection of suspicious SSO URL patterns and unusual authentication behaviors that may indicate exploitation attempts.