CVE-2024-37339
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Microsoft SQL Server's Native Scoring component allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely. It affects SQL Server instances with the Native Scoring feature enabled, potentially compromising database servers and sensitive data.
💻 Affected Systems
- Microsoft SQL Server
📦 What is this software?
Sql 2016 Azure Connect Feature Pack by Microsoft
View all CVEs affecting Sql 2016 Azure Connect Feature Pack →
Sql Server 2016 by Microsoft
Sql Server 2017 by Microsoft
Sql Server 2017 by Microsoft
Sql Server 2019 by Microsoft
Sql Server 2019 by Microsoft
Sql Server 2022 by Microsoft
Sql Server 2022 by Microsoft
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise allowing attacker to execute arbitrary code with SQL Server service account privileges, leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or complete server takeover.
Likely Case
Attacker gains control of SQL Server instance, accesses sensitive database contents, and potentially pivots to other systems in the network.
If Mitigated
Limited impact due to network segmentation, minimal privileges, and proper authentication controls preventing exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated access to SQL Server with permissions to use Native Scoring feature
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check Microsoft Security Update Guide for specific patch versions
Vendor Advisory: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2024-37339
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download appropriate security update from Microsoft Update Catalog. 2. Apply patch to affected SQL Server instances. 3. Restart SQL Server services. 4. Verify patch installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Native Scoring Feature
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable Native Scoring component if not required
EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1;
RECONFIGURE;
EXEC sp_configure 'native scoring', 0;
RECONFIGURE;
Restrict SQL Server Authentication
allLimit authentication methods and reduce attack surface
-- Use Windows Authentication only where possible
-- Remove unnecessary SQL logins
-- Implement strong password policies
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate SQL Server from untrusted networks
- Apply principle of least privilege to SQL Server service accounts and user permissions
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check SQL Server version and patch level against Microsoft advisory. Verify if Native Scoring feature is enabled.Check Version:
SELECT @@VERSION;Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm patch installation via SQL Server version check and verify Native Scoring feature status.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual Native Scoring procedure executions
- Failed authentication attempts followed by Native Scoring usage
- Unexpected service account privilege escalation
Network Indicators:
- Unusual SQL Server connections from unexpected sources
- Suspicious T-SQL commands related to Native Scoring
SIEM Query:
source="sql_server" AND (event_id=18456 OR event_id=33205) AND message="*native*scoring*"