CVE-2024-21349 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 02/13/2024
Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2024
This vulnerability resides within Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) components that are widely deployed across enterprise networks and desktop environments. The flaw manifests as 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 ADO's handling of specially crafted data objects that can trigger memory corruption conditions when processed by the underlying COM components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by delivering malicious ADO objects through various attack vectors including web pages, email attachments, or compromised websites that leverage browser-based exploitation techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory management flaws within ADO's object model where buffer overflows occur during the parsing of malformed data structures. These conditions typically arise when ADO components process untrusted input from external sources such as database connections strings, query parameters, or serialized objects transmitted over network protocols. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through multiple attack surfaces including web browsers that utilize ADO for data access operations, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns. According to CWE classification, this represents a variant of CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow in COM object handling contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual system compromise to potential network-wide infiltration and lateral movement capabilities. Once an attacker achieves code execution through ADO exploitation, they can leverage the compromised system as a foothold for further attacks within the enterprise environment. This includes privilege escalation opportunities, data exfiltration activities, and establishment of persistent backdoors that can bypass traditional security controls. The vulnerability affects Microsoft Windows operating systems including various versions of windows server and desktop editions that have ADO components installed, with the risk being particularly high in environments where users frequently access web content or database applications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates and emergency patches when available. Organizations must implement network segmentation controls to limit exposure of systems running ADO components and consider disabling unnecessary ADO functionality in browser contexts. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious ADO object creation patterns and anomalous data access behaviors that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally implementing application whitelisting policies can prevent execution of unauthorized ADO-related binaries, while regular vulnerability scanning should target exposed ADO interfaces and components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under initial access and execution phases with specific techniques related to exploitation of remote services and malicious file execution, making it a critical target for defensive security operations centers to monitor and protect against.