Microsoft JET Database Engine RCE Vulnerability

A vulnerability has been disclosed in the Microsoft JET Database Engine that could allow remote code execution by an attacker.

Threat ID:: CC-2686
Category:: Exploit
Threat Severity:: Low
Threat Vector:
Published:: 26 September 2018 12:00 AM

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Summary

A vulnerability has been disclosed in the Microsoft JET Database Engine that could allow remote code execution by an attacker.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - Versions 10, 8.1, 8 and 7
Microsoft Access - All Versions
Microsoft Windows Server - Versions 2019, 2016, and 2012
Microsoft .NET Core - All Versions

Threat details

The vulnerability lies with the management of indexes in the JET database engine that, if exploited successfully, can cause an out-of-bounds memory write. This can lead to remote code execution at the privilege level of the current process. To exploit this vulnerability an attacker would require the targeted user to open a specially crafted malicious file that calls a JET database source via a Microsoft component known as an Object Linking and Embedding Database (OLEDB).

The researcher from Trend Micro who discovered the vulnerability has published a proof of concept after giving 120 days notice to Microsoft for the opportunity to develop an update, which means that 0-day attacks are possible at the time of publication.

Threat updates

Date	Update
15 Oct 2018	The vulnerability has now been identified as CVE-2018-8423. This only affects 32-bit versions of the affected platforms. The 'msrd3x40.dll' binary is the vulnerable component in Windows JET Database Engine

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	At the time of publication there is no confirmation of when an update that addresses this vulnerability will be released. To prevent and detect a trojan infection, ensure that: A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails. All operating systems, anti-virus and other security products are kept up-to-date. Regular anti-virus and security scans are performed on your organisation’s estate. All day-to-day computer activities such as email and internet are performed using non-administrative accounts. Strong password policies are in place. Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity. User accounts accessed from affected devices should be reset on a clean computer. Your organisation adopts a holistic all-round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the 10 Steps to Cyber Security.

Type

Step

At the time of publication there is no confirmation of when an update that addresses this vulnerability will be released.

To prevent and detect a trojan infection, ensure that:

A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails.
All operating systems, anti-virus and other security products are kept up-to-date.
Regular anti-virus and security scans are performed on your organisation’s estate.
All day-to-day computer activities such as email and internet are performed using non-administrative accounts.
Strong password policies are in place.
Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity.
User accounts accessed from affected devices should be reset on a clean computer.
Your organisation adopts a holistic all-round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the 10 Steps to Cyber Security.

CVE Vulnerabilities

Status

CVE-2018-8423

Last edited: 17 February 2020 12:48 pm