CVE-2023-48950 in virtuoso-opensource
Summary
by MITRE • 11/29/2023
An issue in the box_col_len function in openlink virtuoso-opensource v7.2.11 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) after running a SELECT statement.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-48950 resides within the openlink virtuoso-opensource version 7.2.11 database system, specifically within the box_col_len function that handles column length calculations during query processing. This issue manifests when attackers execute carefully crafted SELECT statements that trigger a denial of service condition, effectively disrupting normal database operations and potentially compromising system availability. The flaw represents a critical weakness in the database engine's input validation and resource management capabilities, as it fails to properly handle malformed or unexpected column length parameters during query execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a buffer handling or memory management issue within the box_col_len function, where insufficient bounds checking or improper parameter validation leads to a crash or hang condition when processing specific SELECT queries. Attackers can leverage this weakness by constructing malicious queries that cause the database engine to attempt operations beyond allocated memory boundaries or to enter an infinite loop during column length calculations. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of resource exhaustion or improper input handling as classified by CWE-787 and CWE-129 respectively, and represents a classic example of how seemingly benign database operations can be weaponized for denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-48950 extends beyond simple service disruption, as database availability is fundamental to most enterprise applications and data processing workflows. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause complete system unresponsiveness, requiring manual intervention to restart database services and potentially resulting in data loss or corruption if transactions are interrupted during the DoS condition. Organizations relying on virtuoso-opensource for critical data operations face significant risk of business disruption, particularly in environments where database uptime is mission-critical. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network denial of service attacks, and represents a direct threat to system availability as defined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the virtuoso-opensource database to version 7.2.12 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the box_col_len function. Organizations should also implement query monitoring and filtering mechanisms to identify and block suspicious SELECT statements before they can trigger the vulnerability. Database administrators should consider implementing resource limits and query timeouts to prevent exploitation attempts from consuming excessive system resources. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit potential attack vectors and reduce the attack surface for this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in database functionality while maintaining the system's overall security posture.