CVE-2024-28935 in ODBC Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 04/09/2024
Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2026
This vulnerability involves a remote code execution flaw in the Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the driver's handling of specific ODBC connection parameters and data structures. When a maliciously crafted connection string or data packet is processed by the vulnerable driver, it can trigger memory corruption issues that lead to arbitrary code execution. The flaw exists in the driver's parsing and processing logic for certain data types and connection attributes, particularly affecting how the driver handles malformed or unexpected input values. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server and can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where database connectivity is common. The attack surface is broad as the ODBC driver is widely used across various applications and systems that connect to Microsoft SQL Server databases.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves buffer overflows and memory corruption issues that occur when the driver processes specific sequences of data within ODBC connection strings or query parameters. Attackers can craft malicious connection strings that contain specially formatted data to trigger stack corruption or heap overflow conditions. These conditions can then be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations or execute shellcode within the context of the process running the ODBC driver. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through standard database connection mechanisms and does not require elevated privileges to initiate the attack. The flaw is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents a classic and well-understood class of memory safety issues that have been the subject of numerous security research publications and defensive measures. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1210 technique for exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations that rely on Microsoft SQL Server and the associated ODBC drivers for database connectivity. Systems running affected driver versions are at risk of complete compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to full system control and data exfiltration capabilities. The vulnerability affects both Windows and Linux environments where the ODBC driver is installed, expanding the potential attack surface. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive database information, system data manipulation, and potential lateral movement within the network. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from external networks without requiring physical access or prior authentication. This creates a high-risk scenario where organizations may be compromised without detection, particularly if proper monitoring and patching procedures are not in place. The vulnerability can be exploited through automated scanning tools, making it a target for widespread exploitation across internet-connected systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected systems with the latest Microsoft security updates, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in the ODBC driver. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to SQL Server instances and reduce the attack surface available to potential attackers. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unusual database connection patterns and implementing strict input validation for all ODBC connection parameters. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect and alert on suspicious ODBC protocol traffic that may indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary ODBC driver functionality and implementing least privilege access controls for database connections. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other database connectivity components. The implementation of application whitelisting and runtime protection mechanisms can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also maintain detailed logging of database connection activities and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to handle potential exploitation of database driver vulnerabilities.