CVE-2023-48945 in virtuoso-opensource
Summary
by MITRE • 11/29/2023
A stack overflow in openlink virtuoso-opensource v7.2.11 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via crafted SQL statements.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-48945 represents a critical stack overflow condition within the openlink virtuoso-opensource version 7.2.11 database management system. This flaw manifests when the system processes specially crafted SQL statements that exploit memory handling inconsistencies in the query processing engine. The vulnerability resides in the database's ability to handle malformed input without proper bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack.
Stack overflow vulnerabilities of this nature typically originate from insufficient input validation and buffer management within database query parsers. The affected virtuoso-opensource version demonstrates poor memory safety practices where SQL statement parsing does not adequately validate the length or structure of incoming data before processing. This allows attackers to craft SQL queries that, when executed, cause the program to write beyond allocated stack memory boundaries, leading to unpredictable behavior and system instability. The vulnerability specifically impacts the database's SQL query execution pathway, making it particularly dangerous for systems that process external SQL inputs.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-48945 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially lead to complete system crashes and data integrity compromises. When exploited successfully, the stack overflow can cause the virtuoso database process to terminate unexpectedly, resulting in service unavailability for legitimate users and potential data loss. Organizations relying on this database system for critical operations face significant risk, as the vulnerability can be triggered through various SQL injection vectors without requiring authentication. The DoS condition may also provide attackers with opportunities to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to database resources, depending on system configurations and additional vulnerabilities present.
Security mitigations for CVE-2023-48945 should prioritize immediate patching of the virtuoso-opensource software to version 7.2.12 or later, which contains the necessary memory safety fixes. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures at the application level to prevent malformed SQL statements from reaching the database engine. Network segmentation and access controls can limit potential exploitation by restricting direct database access to trusted sources. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual SQL query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services, emphasizing the need for both defensive measures and threat hunting capabilities to protect against this class of vulnerability.