Microsoft SQL Server MDAC buffer overflow allows arbitrary code

Risk
High

Date Discovered
07-31-2002

Description
Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) in Microsoft SQL Servers contain an unchecked buffer that may allow a remote attacker to crash the SQL Server by overflowing the buffer. Additionally, by supplying carefully crafted input, a remote attacker may gain complete control over the SQL Server.

MDAC functionality supports access and use of the the SQL database. One of the underlying MDCA functions, the T-SQL OpenRowSet command, provides remote data access capability from the database.

An unchecked buffer exists in the code for the OpenRowSet functionality. By submitting a carefully crafted parameter in an OpenRowSet database query, a remote attacker who has the ability to load and execute a database query on the server can either cause the server to crash or, potentially, run arbitrary commands on the SQL Server.

Microsoft SQL Server installs with Domain User privileges by default, which should normally restrict the access level an attacker could achieve. However, depending on the system configuration after installation, an attacker could gain complete control over the underlying operating system.

Note: While MDAC ships with a number of Microsoft products, this buffer overflow vulnerability only impacts MDAC versions shipped with the Microsoft SQL Server.

Platforms Affected
Windows

Components Affected
Microsoft Data Access Components 2.5
Microsoft Data Access Components 2.6
Microsoft Data Access Components 2.7
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 All
Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 All

Recommendations

Patch: Microsoft MDAC 2.5 hotfix Q323264
This patch fixes the buffer overflow problem in MDAC 2.5 that compromises security in Microsoft SQL Server.

MDAC 2.5 Service Pack 2 must be installed for this patch to be applied.

Patch: Microsoft MDAC 2.6 hotfix Q323266
This patch fixes the buffer overflow problem in MDAC 2.6 that compromises security in Microsoft SQL Server.

MDAC 2.6 Service Pack 2 must be installed for this patch to be applied.

Patch: Microsoft MDAC 2.7 hotfix Q323263
This patch fixes a buffer overflow problem in MDAC 2.7 that compromises security in Microsoft SQL Server.

2.7 RTM or Refresh must be installed for this patch to be applied.

References
Source: CVE CAN-2002-0695
URL: http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2002-0695

Source: securityfocus.com 5372
URL: http://online.securityfocus.com/bid/5372

Source: Microsoft MS02-040
URL: http://microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/MS02-040.asp

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