CVE-2000-0385 in FileMaker
Summary
by MITRE
FileMaker Pro 5 Web Companion allows remote attackers to bypass Field-Level database security restrictions via the XML publishing or email capabilities.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0385 represents a critical security flaw in FileMaker Pro 5 Web Companion that undermines fundamental database security controls through its XML publishing and email functionalities. This issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the web publishing components of the software, allowing unauthorized remote attackers to circumvent field-level security restrictions that are typically enforced to protect sensitive data within database records. The vulnerability specifically affects the web server component of FileMaker Pro 5 that handles XML data publishing and email distribution features, creating an attack vector that bypasses the normal database security model.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of XML data structures and email processing routines within the FileMaker Pro 5 Web Companion environment. When the system processes XML publishing requests or generates email notifications, it fails to properly validate or enforce the field-level security permissions that should restrict access to specific database fields. This allows attackers to craft malicious requests that can retrieve or manipulate data fields that should otherwise be protected from unauthorized access. The flaw essentially enables a privilege escalation attack where remote users can access database records and fields that they should not have permission to view or modify, fundamentally compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the protected data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a complete breakdown in the database security architecture that could lead to significant data breaches and regulatory compliance violations. Organizations relying on FileMaker Pro 5 for sensitive data management face substantial risk of unauthorized data access, potential data manipulation, and loss of business intelligence that was intended to be protected through field-level security controls. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can result in cascading security failures when sensitive information is exposed to unauthorized parties.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the FileMaker Pro 5 Web Companion software to address the field-level security bypass issue. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the affected web server components and consider disabling XML publishing and email capabilities until proper security patches are applied. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in web applications, aligning with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control issues. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability would be categorized under the privilege escalation and data exposure categories in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically addressing techniques related to unauthorized access and data infiltration. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging of web server activities to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish baseline security configurations that enforce proper field-level access controls. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of regular security updates and the need for comprehensive security testing of web-enabled database applications.