CVE-2000-0475 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Windows 2000 allows a local user process to access another user s desktop within the same windows station, aka the "Desktop Separation" vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2017
The CVE-2000-0475 vulnerability represents a critical desktop separation flaw in Microsoft Windows 2000 operating systems that fundamentally undermines the security model of multi-user environments. This vulnerability specifically affects the Windows Station and Desktop security architecture, where Windows 2000 fails to properly enforce isolation between user sessions within the same windows station. The issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that allow a local user process to traverse the security boundaries between different user desktops, effectively enabling unauthorized access to another user's graphical interface elements and potentially sensitive data displayed on their desktop.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the Windows 2000 security subsystem's handling of window station objects and their associated desktop objects. When multiple users operate within the same windows station, the operating system should maintain strict separation between their desktop environments through proper access control lists and security descriptors. However, this vulnerability allows processes running under one user account to enumerate and access desktop objects belonging to other user sessions, bypassing the intended security boundaries. This flaw operates at the kernel level of the Windows operating system and leverages the inherent design weakness in how desktop objects are managed and protected within the windows station architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0475 is significant for organizations relying on Windows 2000 systems, as it provides a local privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by malicious users within the same system. An attacker with low-privilege access can potentially observe other users' desktop activities, capture sensitive information displayed on screens, and access user-specific applications and data that should remain isolated. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in shared computing environments, terminal server configurations, or multi-user workstations where users might be unaware of the potential for unauthorized desktop access. The attack can be executed without requiring network connectivity or remote access, making it particularly insidious as it exploits the local security model of the operating system itself.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-284, which describes improper access control in software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through improper access control. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security patches, implementing strict user access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized desktop access attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as disabling unnecessary user sessions, enforcing strong password policies, and regularly auditing user access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining proper desktop separation in multi-user environments and highlights the necessity of regular security updates and comprehensive vulnerability assessments to protect against such fundamental architectural flaws.