CVE-2024-29984 is a high-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server, specifically affecting Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (GDR) version 15.0.0. The vulnerability arises due to improper handling of memory buffers within the OLE DB Driver component, which can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication. An attacker can trigger this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to the SQL Server instance, causing a buffer overflow on the heap. This overflow can lead to remote code execution (RCE), allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the SQL Server service account. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the critical nature of this vulnerability, with attack vector being network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating that successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, data theft, data manipulation, or denial of service. Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the vulnerability’s characteristics and the widespread use of Microsoft SQL Server 2019 make it a significant risk. The vulnerability was reserved on March 22, 2024, and published on April 9, 2024, with no official patches linked yet, indicating that organizations must prioritize mitigation and monitoring efforts.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-29984 could be severe due to the extensive use of Microsoft SQL Server 2019 across various sectors including finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical business operations, and potential regulatory non-compliance with GDPR due to data breaches. The ability to execute code remotely without authentication increases the risk of widespread attacks, including ransomware deployment or lateral movement within corporate networks. Given the high availability of SQL Server in enterprise environments, successful exploitation could result in significant downtime and financial losses. Additionally, organizations in Europe with interconnected supply chains or cloud-hosted SQL Server instances could face cascading effects. The requirement for user interaction slightly reduces the risk but does not eliminate it, as phishing or social engineering could be leveraged to trigger the exploit. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score necessitates urgent attention.

1. Immediate application of any forthcoming official patches from Microsoft once available is critical. 2. Until patches are released, restrict network access to SQL Server instances by implementing strict firewall rules limiting inbound traffic to trusted IP addresses and networks. 3. Employ network segmentation to isolate SQL Server environments from general user networks to reduce exposure. 4. Monitor SQL Server logs and network traffic for unusual activity or signs of exploitation attempts, focusing on anomalous OLE DB driver usage or unexpected connection patterns. 5. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and least privilege principles for all accounts interacting with SQL Server to minimize potential damage. 6. Educate users about phishing and social engineering risks since user interaction is required for exploitation, reducing the likelihood of successful attack vectors. 7. Utilize intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with updated signatures to detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability. 8. Regularly back up SQL Server databases and verify backup integrity to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. 9. Consider deploying application-layer firewalls or SQL Server-specific security tools that can detect and block malformed queries targeting the OLE DB driver. 10. Conduct vulnerability scanning and penetration testing focused on SQL Server environments to identify and remediate potential exposure.