CVE-2026-16870 in libsnowflakeclient
Summary
by MITRE • 07/24/2026
Multiple security vulnerabilities in Snowflake libsnowflakeclient versions prior to 2.9.2 could allow remote code execution and credential exfiltration. A stack-based buffer overflow in the file download path could allow remote code execution on a victim host. An attacker could exploit this by uploading a file with a crafted encryption metadata field to a shared internal stage that a victim process later downloads, and impact would be limited to deployments where principals with different privilege levels share the same internal stage. A related out-of-bounds write in the same download path could allow memory corruption with attacker-controlled write primitives. An attacker may exploit this through a crafted initialization vector metadata field on a shared stage, and impact would be limited by the same stage-write precondition. Improper validation of connection parameters could allow an attacker-controlled input to redirect outbound authentication requests — including credentials and tokens — to an attacker-controlled endpoint. Impact is limited to embedding deployments where a lower-privileged principal can influence connection configuration while higher-privileged service credentials are in use. The fix is available in Snowflake libsnowflakeclient version 2.9.2. Users must manually upgrade.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2026
The Snowflake libsnowflakeclient library contains critical security vulnerabilities that pose significant risks to organizations relying on its functionality for database connectivity and data operations. These vulnerabilities span multiple attack vectors including remote code execution, credential exfiltration, and memory corruption exploits that can be leveraged by malicious actors within specific deployment configurations. The identified issues affect versions prior to 2.9.2 and demonstrate the importance of keeping third-party libraries updated in enterprise environments where data security is paramount. The vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they can potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on target systems while simultaneously enabling credential theft through manipulated authentication flows.
The primary remote code execution vulnerability stems from a stack-based buffer overflow occurring during file download operations within the library's internal stage processing functionality. This flaw creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can craft malicious encryption metadata fields in files uploaded to shared internal stages that are subsequently downloaded by victim processes. The attack requires specific deployment conditions where principals with varying privilege levels share the same internal stage, creating a potential vector for privilege escalation and system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and represents a critical concern for organizations using Snowflake's internal stage capabilities for data sharing and processing operations.
A related out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in the same file download path, providing attackers with additional memory corruption capabilities that include attacker-controlled write primitives. This secondary flaw can be exploited through manipulation of initialization vector metadata fields within shared stages, offering similar attack surface limitations as the primary buffer overflow. Both vulnerabilities require the same precondition of shared internal stages between different privilege levels, indicating a systemic design weakness in how the library handles stage access controls and data validation during download operations. The combination of these flaws creates multiple pathways for attackers to compromise systems, with the out-of-bounds write potentially enabling more sophisticated exploitation techniques including arbitrary memory corruption.
The third vulnerability involves improper validation of connection parameters that could redirect outbound authentication requests to attacker-controlled endpoints. This flaw allows malicious actors to intercept sensitive credentials and tokens during authentication flows, particularly affecting embedded deployments where lower-privileged users can influence connection configurations while higher-privileged service credentials remain active. The impact is constrained by the requirement that a principal with reduced privileges must be able to modify connection parameters, but this still represents a significant risk in environments where privilege separation is not strictly enforced. This vulnerability type maps to CWE-20 input validation issues and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration validation gaps can create major security exposure points.
Organizations using affected versions of Snowflake libsnowflakeclient must urgently implement manual upgrades to version 2.9.2 or later to mitigate these risks. The recommended remediation approach requires careful coordination with deployment teams to ensure all instances are updated, as the vulnerabilities can be exploited remotely without requiring user interaction. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their Snowflake environments to identify systems that may be vulnerable based on shared stage configurations and privilege level arrangements. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities could result in complete system compromise, credential theft, and unauthorized data access, making immediate remediation essential for maintaining data security posture and compliance requirements within regulated environments.