Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2020-0618

THE THREAT

On February 11th, 2020, Microsoft released security updates for a remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services [1]. Following this, on February 14th, 2020, security consulting firm MDSec published technical analysis which demonstrated how the vulnerability can be exploited. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute code from the Report Server service account and lead to compromise of the target system [2].

What we’re doing about it

• MVS (formerly esRECON) has plugins to identify CVE-2020-0618
• Monitoring this topic and reviewing capabilities in other eSentire products.
• Microsoft has published Security Guidance [1] on this topic and we recommend applying the security updates as soon as possible to avoid compromise

What you should do about it

• Microsoft has published Security Guidance [1] on this topic and we recommend applying the security updates as soon as possible to avoid compromise

Additional information

Microsoft initially published security guidance on this vulnerability following February’s “Patch Tuesday” [1]. The vulnerability exists in Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services and could allow a low privileged attacker to exploit via a specially crafted request. Microsoft’s initial exploitability assessment determined exploitation to be less likely.

On Friday, February 14^th, 2020, Soroush Dalili of MDSec published technical analysis of the vulnerability, including a Proof-of-Concept. While this does not indicate immediate mass exploitation by opportunistic attackers, it increases the likelihood of this occurring in the near term.

References:

[1] https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0618

[2] https://www.mdsec.co.uk/2020/02/cve-2020-0618-rce-in-sql-server-reporting-services-ssrs/