CVE-2000-0485 in SQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft SQL Server allows local users to obtain database passwords via the Data Transformation Service (DTS) package Properties dialog, aka the "DTS Password" vulnerability.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2024
The CVE-2000-0485 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft SQL Server that emerged during the early 2000s era of database security development. This vulnerability specifically targets the Data Transformation Services component within SQL Server, which was designed to facilitate data integration and transformation tasks across different database systems. The flaw resides in how DTS packages handle password storage and retrieval, creating an unintended access vector for local attackers who possess minimal system privileges. The vulnerability operates through the DTS package Properties dialog interface, where database passwords are stored in a manner that can be directly accessed by unauthorized local users, fundamentally undermining the security model of SQL Server's authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and secure credential storage practices within the DTS framework. When users create DTS packages that require database connections, the system stores authentication credentials in a way that does not properly encrypt or obfuscate password information. This design flaw allows local users to access the DTS package properties dialog and extract stored passwords without requiring elevated privileges or administrative access. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and represents a classic example of insecure credential handling that violates fundamental security principles. This weakness aligns with CWE-522, which specifically addresses insufficiently protected credentials, and demonstrates how seemingly benign application features can create security loopholes when proper access controls are not implemented.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0485 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables local attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to multiple database systems that rely on the compromised DTS packages. An attacker with local system access can exploit this vulnerability to extract database passwords and subsequently use them to connect to other systems that share the same credentials, creating a potential chain of compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that use DTS packages for automated data integration processes, as these packages often contain credentials for multiple database systems. The impact is further amplified because the vulnerability does not require network access or complex exploitation techniques, making it easily exploitable by local users who may have limited privileges but can still access the system through legitimate means such as user accounts or service accounts.
Organizations that deployed Microsoft SQL Server during the early 2000s were particularly vulnerable to this attack vector, as the default installation and configuration practices of that era often included DTS packages with stored credentials. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require specialized tools or advanced technical knowledge, making it accessible to attackers with basic system access. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1555.003, which covers credentials from password stores, and represents a historical example of how poor credential management practices can create persistent security risks. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of least privilege principles and proper access control implementation, as it shows how local users can escalate their access through legitimate application features that were not properly secured. Mitigation efforts should include immediate patching of affected systems, implementation of proper credential management practices, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems that may not have received proper security updates.