Flash Notice: GoldenDB DDE Injection Vulnerability

overview

CVE-2025-46579 is a high-severity Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) injection vulnerability affecting ZTE's GoldenDB database product. Attackers can craft and inject malicious DDE expressions via the application's interface. When a legitimate user downloads and opens a file generated by the compromised system, these DDE expressions execute, potentially enabling arbitrary command execution on the target system.

Potential Impact: - Execution of attacker-supplied commands upon opening a file, leading to malware deployment, data theft, or system compromise. - Heightened risk in environments where users routinely download and open files generated by GoldenDB, increasing susceptibility to phishing and social engineering attacks. - The vulnerability carries a high CVSS score of 8.4, reflecting its significant exploitation risk.

Exploitation Method: - The attacker injects DDE expressions through a vulnerable GoldenDB interface. - The manipulated file is downloaded by the victim. - On file opening (e.g., within Microsoft Office), the embedded DDE command executes, giving the attacker command execution on the user’s system.

AFFECTED PRODUCTS AND VERSIONS

• Vendor: ZTE
• Product: GoldenDB (database platform)
• Impacted Versions:
  • GoldenDB version 6.1.03 and all releases up to and including 6.1.03.10
  • GoldenDB version 7.2.01.01
  • GoldenDB Lite version 7.2.01.01
• Remediation Status:
  • As of the latest advisories, no patched versions have been specified. Organizations should monitor vendor announcements for updates and apply mitigation steps as recommended.

CURRENT THREAT STATUS

• Exploitation in the Wild:
  • No confirmed evidence currently exists of active exploitation.
• Attack Techniques:
  • Attacks would likely leverage phishing or social engineering to entice users to download and open files from GoldenDB.
  • DDE injection, a known attack vector, is often used to deliver malware or establish initial access.
• Targeted Sectors:
  • No industry-specific targeting reported, but any organization using affected GoldenDB versions is at risk, especially those routinely exporting or sharing database-generated files.

Organizations using GoldenDB should audit their deployments, restrict unnecessary file export functionality, and monitor for vendor guidance regarding updates or patches.

INDICATORS OF COMPROMISE (IOCS)

At present, there are no publicly known indicators of compromise (IOCs) associated with successful exploitation of CVE-2025-46579. The vulnerability was only recently disclosed, and information on real-world exploitation or campaign-specific details is not available.

Avertium’s Threat Detection & Response (TDR) team is proactively monitoring for any indicators that may emerge. If relevant IOCs are identified, they will be shared through official advisories and threat intelligence updates.

VULNERABILITY DETAILS

• CVE ID: CVE-2025-46579
• Vulnerability Name: GoldenDB DDE Injection Vulnerability
• CVSS Rating:4 (High)
• EPSS Rating:55 (Moderate probability of exploitation)

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Apply available patches or updates immediately upon release.
• Enforce application control policies to block unauthorized DDE command execution.
• Train users to be alert when opening files downloaded from GoldenDB.
• Monitor for suspicious activity related to DDE execution and:
  • Suspicious DDE Expressions: Presence of unexpected or malicious DDE expressions in files downloaded from the GoldenDB interface.
  • Unauthorized Code Execution: Signs of unauthorized code execution on systems using GoldenDB2.
  • Data Theft or Manipulation: Unusual data access patterns indicating potential data theft or manipulation.
• Engage Threat Detection & Response services for enhanced proactive monitoring and rapid incident response.

MITRE ATT&CK ttPS

Initial Access

• 001 – Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment
  • Malicious files with DDE payloads may be delivered via phishing emails. When opened, these can execute embedded commands.

Execution

• 002 – User Execution: Malicious File
  • User action is required to open a malicious document, triggering DDE-based code execution.
• T1059 – Command and Scripting Interpreter
  • DDE may invoke interpreters like exe or PowerShell to deliver attacker commands.
• T1218 – Signed Binary Proxy Execution (LOLBins)
  • DDE exploits often use trusted Office binaries (e.g., Word, Excel) to proxy execution and avoid detection.

Defense Evasion

• 001 – Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools
  • Post-exploitation, attackers may disable security tools via DDE payloads.
• T1027 – Obfuscated Files or Information
  • Attackers may obfuscate DDE payloads to evade static inspection.

Persistence

• 001 – Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
  • Attackers may achieve persistence by leveraging registry or startup folder modifications through executed payloads.

Privilege Escalation

• T1068 – Exploitation for Privilege Escalation
  • Post-initial access, privilege escalation may be attempted as part of the DDE attack chain.

Collection

• 001 – Email Collection: Local Email Collection
  • Attackers may attempt to collect sensitive emails or database records if elevated access is gained.

Exfiltration

• T1041 – Exfiltration Over C2 Channel
  • Data exfiltration may occur over established C2 channels, often leveraging standard protocols.

These TTPs are based on common attack patterns observed in DDE injection attacks and are directly applicable to the exploitation of GoldenDB per CVE-2025-46579.

additional Recommendations + information

CVE-2025-30391 carries a CVSS rating of 8.1, underscoring its significant risk. Organizations are urged to take the following mitigation and defense steps:

IMMEDIATE MITIGATION MEASURES

• Disable DDE Functionality:
  • Modify registry settings for all affected endpoints to disable DDE in Office applications.
  • Deploy Group Policy settings to enforce DDE restrictions across the organization.
• Implement Protected Mode:
  • Enable Protected Mode in Office applications to prevent automatic execution of DDE content.
  • Instruct users not to disable Protected View or Protected Mode when prompted.
• Restrict User Permissions:
  • Enforce least privilege principles for database users, limiting unnecessary access or file exports.

PATCH AND SYSTEM MONITORING

• Monitor Vendor Updates:
  • Check for and apply patches from ZTE as soon as available.
  • Test patches in non-production environments before enterprise rollout.
• Enhanced Monitoring and Logging:
  • Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for unusual process launches, specifically Office spawning child processes indicative of DDE exploitation.
  • Centralize and correlate logs in a SIEM system to spot abnormal export or execution events.
  • Implement custom detection rules to alert on DDE-related activity.
• File Integrity and Export Monitoring:
  • Scan all exported files for DDE expressions before granting user access, and monitor for CSV or other injection vectors.

NETWORK SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS

• Network Controls:
  • Segment critical database infrastructure from end-user networks.
  • Restrict outbound connections from database servers.
  • Use content filtering and a web application firewall if GoldenDB is web-accessible.
• Content and Email Filtering:
  • Quarantine or block inbound files with potential DDE content.
  • Inspect file downloads for DDE or CSV injection patterns.

USER AWARENESS AND TRAINING

• User Education Programs:
  • Train users to recognize and avoid suspicious prompts in Office and database-related workflows.
  • Advise against bypassing security warnings or disabling protections when opening exported documents.
• Document Handling Procedures:
  • Establish and enforce secure document handling policies, including using viewers that do not support DDE or similar scripting features.

LONG-TERM SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS

• Architecture Reviews:
  • Periodically review GoldenDB configurations and deployment architecture for security best practices.
  • Prefer export formats that do not support DDE or scripting, or sanitize output adequately.
• Regular Security Testing:
  • Conduct penetration tests and include DDE injection in assessment methodologies.
  • Validate mitigation effectiveness through red-team exercises or tabletop simulations.

ADDITIONAL SERVICE OFFERINGS

Threat Detection & Response (TDR)
Avertium integrates all aspects of security operations for advanced threat detection and response. For CVE-2025-46579, TDR is critical for: Persistent monitoring for DDE-related threats and abnormal file export/execution activity. - Rapid detection of incidents involving arbitrary command execution. - Cross-domain correlation to provide early warnings on evolving exploits.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
Avertium’s SIEM solutions offer centralized log analysis, helping: Detect anomalous DDE command execution and GoldenDB activity. - Correlate logs from endpoints, network, and applications to identify exploitation chains. - Automate incident response and support comprehensive threat hunting.

Attack Surface Management (ASM)
ASM helps to: Identify and inventory exposed GoldenDB endpoints across the environment. - Prioritize vulnerability remediation based on exposure and criticality. - Continuously scan for unpatched systems and weaknesses that could be targeted by DDE injection.

Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)
GRC services assist by: Guiding secure file handling policy development and enforcement. - Delivering targeted user security training programs. - Supporting regulatory compliance and ensuring secure operation of database platforms.

Cybersecurity Strategy Alignment
Avertium ensures alignment of cybersecurity programs with business needs by: Conducting strategic security assessments of databases and applications. - Mapping threats to MITRE ATT&CK to improve detection and response capabilities. - Providing ongoing roadmaps for security maturity, incident preparedness, and resilience.

These offerings help organizations address not only immediate risk but also underpin long-term security improvement and threat resilience for GoldenDB and broader enterprise infrastructure.

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