CVE-2024-28941 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 • 04/07/2025
This vulnerability involves a remote code execution flaw in Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The issue stems from improper input validation within the driver's handling of certain database connection parameters and query operations. When processing maliciously crafted input through the ODBC interface, the driver fails to properly sanitize or validate data structures, creating opportunities for attackers to inject and execute malicious payloads. This vulnerability specifically affects versions of the Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server that do not properly implement bounds checking and memory management during database communication processes.
The technical exploitation occurs when an attacker crafts specially formatted database connection strings or query parameters that trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption within the driver's processing routines. The flaw typically manifests through improper handling of string concatenation operations, parameter binding, or data type conversions within the ODBC driver component. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by establishing connections to vulnerable SQL Server instances and manipulating the connection parameters to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected service account. This represents a critical security gap that aligns with CWE-121 which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-787 which addresses out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with unauthorized remote access capabilities to systems running vulnerable ODBC drivers. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, lateral movement within networks, and persistence mechanisms being established. Organizations using Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server in production environments face significant risk exposure since the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges beyond network access to the database infrastructure. The attack surface includes any system that communicates with SQL Server databases through ODBC connections, making this particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where database connectivity is pervasive.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with Microsoft's security updates and hotfixes specifically addressing this vulnerability. Organizations must implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of database servers to untrusted networks while monitoring for suspicious connection patterns or unusual query behaviors. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary ODBC connections, implementing strict input validation at application layers, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the MITRE ATT&CK framework places it within the execution and privilege escalation domains, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls across multiple attack vectors including network security monitoring, endpoint protection, and privileged access management. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other database connectivity components throughout the enterprise infrastructure.