CVE-2023-34364: DataDirect ODBC Oracle Buffer Overflow

CVE-2023-34364 Overview

A buffer overflow vulnerability was discovered in Progress DataDirect Connect for ODBC before version 08.02.2770 for Oracle. The vulnerability occurs when an overly large value is provided for certain options within a connection string, causing a buffer overrun during string value processing. This flaw enables an attacker to execute arbitrary code on an affected host by crafting malicious data that will be interpreted and executed as code.

Critical Impact

This buffer overflow vulnerability allows remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution without authentication, potentially leading to complete system compromise of hosts running vulnerable versions of the Progress DataDirect ODBC Oracle Wire Protocol Driver.

Affected Products

• Progress DataDirect ODBC Oracle Wire Protocol Driver versions before 08.02.2770
• Applications utilizing the vulnerable Progress DataDirect Connect for ODBC component
• Systems connecting to Oracle databases via the affected ODBC driver

Discovery Timeline

• 2023-06-09 - CVE CVE-2023-34364 published to NVD
• 2025-01-06 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2023-34364

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), representing a classic buffer overflow condition within the Progress DataDirect ODBC Oracle Wire Protocol Driver. The flaw exists in the connection string parsing logic, where insufficient bounds checking allows specially crafted input to overflow allocated memory buffers.

The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring any privileges or user interaction. When a connection string contains oversized option values, the driver's parsing routine fails to properly validate the input length before copying data into a fixed-size buffer. This memory corruption enables an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory regions, including potential return addresses or function pointers, ultimately achieving code execution.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2023-34364 lies in inadequate input validation within the connection string processing functions of the DataDirect ODBC driver. When parsing connection parameters, the driver allocates a fixed-size buffer for storing option values but does not enforce appropriate length restrictions on incoming data. This oversight allows maliciously crafted connection strings with excessively long option values to write beyond the intended buffer boundaries, corrupting adjacent memory structures.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, requiring no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can exploit this flaw by:

1. Crafting a malicious connection string containing oversized values for specific ODBC connection options
2. Triggering the vulnerable parsing routine by initiating a connection through the affected driver
3. Carefully controlling the overflow data to achieve code execution by overwriting critical memory structures

The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in scenarios where connection strings may be influenced by untrusted input, such as web applications that construct ODBC connections based on user-provided parameters.

The exploitation mechanism involves supplying connection string parameters that exceed the expected buffer size. When the driver processes these oversized values, the memory copy operation overwrites adjacent memory, allowing an attacker to redirect program execution flow to attacker-controlled code. Detailed technical information is available in the Progress Security Vulnerabilities Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2023-34364

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual crash patterns or application instability in processes utilizing the DataDirect ODBC Oracle driver
• Abnormally long connection string parameters in ODBC connection logs
• Unexpected process spawning or network connections from ODBC driver processes
• Memory access violations or segmentation faults in driver-related components

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for anomalous ODBC connection patterns with unusually large parameter values
• Implement network intrusion detection rules to identify malformed connection strings targeting Oracle ODBC connections
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify exploitation attempts through memory protection monitoring
• Review application logs for failed connection attempts with suspicious parameter lengths

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable enhanced logging for ODBC driver activity and connection string parameters
• Configure memory protection alerts for processes utilizing the vulnerable driver
• Establish baseline behavior for legitimate ODBC connections to identify anomalous activity
• Implement file integrity monitoring on driver components to detect unauthorized modifications

How to Mitigate CVE-2023-34364

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Progress DataDirect ODBC Oracle Wire Protocol Driver to version 08.02.2770 or later immediately
• Audit all systems using the affected driver component and prioritize patching
• Review application configurations to identify where the vulnerable driver is deployed
• Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of systems running the vulnerable driver

Patch Information

Progress has released a security update addressing this vulnerability in DataDirect Connect for ODBC version 08.02.2770. Organizations should obtain the updated driver from Progress and apply it to all affected systems. Refer to the Progress Security Vulnerabilities Advisory for detailed patching instructions and download links.

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to systems running the vulnerable ODBC driver using firewall rules
• Implement input validation at the application layer to sanitize connection string parameters before passing them to the driver
• Consider using alternative database connectivity methods until patching is complete
• Deploy application-level firewalls or WAF rules to filter potentially malicious connection requests

# Example: Restrict network access to ODBC driver hosts using iptables
# Allow connections only from trusted application servers
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 1521 -s 10.0.1.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 1521 -j DROP