CVE-2000-0256 in FrontPage
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflows in htimage.exe and Imagemap.exe in FrontPage 97 and 98 Server Extensions allow a user to conduct activities that are not otherwise available through the web site, aka the "Server-Side Image Map Components" vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0256 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting Microsoft FrontPage 97 and 98 Server Extensions, specifically within the htimage.exe and Imagemap.exe components. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the server-side image mapping functionality that was commonly deployed in web environments during the late 1990s. The flaw manifests when these components process user-supplied data without proper bounds checking, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to arbitrary code execution on the affected server systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves buffer overflow conditions in the server-side image map processing components that handle HTML image map data submitted through web forms or direct requests. When malicious input exceeds the allocated buffer space in htimage.exe or Imagemap.exe, the overflow can overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers, potentially allowing an attacker to redirect program execution flow. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow scenarios. The exploitation typically requires careful crafting of input data that triggers the overflow condition in the vulnerable executables, often leveraging the predictable memory layout of the server processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple denial of service conditions, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with elevated privileges on the web server hosting the vulnerable FrontPage extensions. This creates opportunities for unauthorized access to sensitive server resources, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and execute malicious code with the privileges of the web server process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for activities that are not normally available through standard website access patterns, effectively providing a backdoor into the server environment that can be used for persistent compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0256 should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable FrontPage Server Extensions, as Microsoft released security updates specifically addressing these buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, while monitoring for suspicious activities in web server logs that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in server-side applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploitation of remote services. Additionally, system administrators should consider disabling unnecessary server extensions and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns that could trigger these buffer overflow conditions. Regular security assessments of legacy web server configurations remain critical for identifying and addressing similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of the web infrastructure.