CVE-2000-0603 in SQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 allows a local user to bypass permissions for stored procedures by referencing them via a temporary stored procedure, aka the "Stored Procedure Permissions" vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2025
The CVE-2000-0603 vulnerability represents a critical access control flaw in Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 that fundamentally undermines the database's permission model. This vulnerability specifically targets the stored procedure execution mechanism, allowing local users to circumvent intended security controls through the exploitation of temporary stored procedures. The flaw exists within the database engine's authorization checks, where the system fails to properly validate permissions when temporary stored procedures are invoked through specific reference mechanisms. This represents a significant bypass of the principle of least privilege that should govern database access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way SQL Server handles temporary stored procedures, which are typically created with the # prefix and exist only for the duration of a session. When a local user creates or references these temporary procedures, the permission checking logic incorrectly grants elevated privileges that should only be available to users with specific administrative rights. The vulnerability manifests when the database engine processes procedure calls that reference temporary stored procedures, bypassing the normal authorization checks that would normally prevent unauthorized access to restricted database operations. This flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level of database execution, affecting core security mechanisms rather than surface-level interfaces.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for database environments where local users might have access to the system but should not possess administrative capabilities. Attackers could leverage this flaw to execute stored procedures with elevated privileges, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, modifying database structures, or even escalating their access to system-level operations. The impact extends beyond simple data access, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate database configurations, create backdoors, or perform other malicious activities that would normally require administrative credentials. This represents a classic privilege escalation vector that could compromise entire database systems and the data they contain.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant security patches provided by Microsoft, which address the core permission checking logic in SQL Server 7.0. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit local user access to database systems where possible. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing and proper authorization model implementation. From a compliance standpoint, this flaw would likely violate standards such as nist 800-53 requirements for access control and audit logging. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous stored procedure execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the need for thorough security testing of database engine components, particularly those handling privilege escalation scenarios.