CVE-2000-0742 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The IPX protocol implementation in Microsoft Windows 95 and 98 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service by sending a ping packet with a source IP address that is a broadcast address, aka the "Malformed IPX Ping Packet" vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2019
The CVE-2000-0742 vulnerability represents a critical denial of service flaw within the IPX protocol implementation of Microsoft Windows 95 and 98 operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of ping packets within the Internetwork Packet Exchange protocol stack, which was commonly used in Novell NetWare networks and early Windows networking environments. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation when processing IPX ping packets, creating a condition where malicious actors can exploit the protocol implementation to disrupt network services. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects widely deployed operating systems from the late 1990s period when Windows 95 and 98 were prevalent in corporate and home networking environments.
The technical exploitation mechanism of this vulnerability involves crafting a specially formatted IPX ping packet with a source IP address that is a broadcast address. When the vulnerable Windows 95 or 98 system receives such a malformed packet, the operating system's IPX protocol handler fails to properly process the packet structure, leading to system instability and eventual denial of service conditions. The flaw stems from the protocol implementation's inability to properly validate the source address field within IPX ping packets, particularly when that address is a broadcast address. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and specifically relates to improper handling of network protocol data structures. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer over-read condition where the system attempts to process data beyond its allocated boundaries, causing system crashes or restarts.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0742 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire network infrastructures that rely on Windows 95 or 98 systems. Network administrators and security professionals should recognize that this vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or specialized access. The attack vector represents a network-based threat that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1498, specifically targeting network denial of service conditions. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause cascading failures in networked environments where Windows 95 or 98 systems are integrated with other network components, potentially affecting multiple systems simultaneously. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where these older operating systems are still operational, as they often lack modern security updates and patches that would mitigate such protocol-level flaws.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0742 require immediate implementation of network segmentation and access control measures to prevent unauthorized network access to vulnerable systems. Organizations should consider implementing network firewalls and access control lists to filter IPX traffic and prevent malformed packets from reaching vulnerable Windows systems. The most effective long-term solution involves migrating away from unsupported operating systems to modern platforms that have robust security implementations and regular patch management processes. Network administrators should also implement monitoring systems to detect unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, disabling IPX protocol support on affected systems when not required provides an additional layer of protection, as this removes the attack surface entirely. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on malformed IPX packets, providing early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the risks associated with running legacy operating systems in modern network environments.