CVE-2000-0888 in BIND
Summary
by MITRE
named in BIND 8.2 through 8.2.2-P6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service by sending an SRV record to the server, aka the "srv bug."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0888 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Berkeley Internet Name Domain software version 8.2 through 8.2.2-P6. This issue specifically affects the named daemon implementation where the server fails to properly handle SRV (Service) records, creating a condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to disrupt the DNS service. The vulnerability operates through a fundamental flaw in the parsing and processing logic of SRV records within the BIND software, which was widely deployed across internet infrastructure at the time of discovery. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms that fail to properly process malformed or unexpected SRV record data structures, leading to unpredictable behavior in the DNS server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts and sends a specially formatted SRV record to a vulnerable named server. The server processes this record through its internal parsing routines, which contain a logic flaw that causes the server to enter an undefined state or crash entirely. This processing error typically manifests as a segmentation fault or memory corruption issue that results in the named daemon terminating unexpectedly. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal effort from an attacker to exploit, as the SRV record can be constructed using standard DNS record formats without requiring privileged access or complex attack vectors. The flaw operates at the protocol level within the DNS server implementation, making it difficult to detect through standard network monitoring and providing attackers with a reliable method to disrupt critical DNS infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0888 extends far beyond simple service disruption, as DNS servers form the backbone of internet infrastructure and are critical for domain name resolution across networks. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can cause cascading failures throughout affected networks, as the disruption of DNS services affects all systems that rely on domain name resolution for communication. The vulnerability particularly impacts organizations with large DNS deployments or those serving critical internet infrastructure, where even brief periods of DNS unavailability can cause significant operational disruption. The exploitability of this vulnerability places it in the category of high-risk security flaws, as it can be executed remotely without authentication requirements and has the potential to affect multiple systems simultaneously. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that many organizations were running vulnerable versions of BIND without proper patch management procedures in place, creating widespread exposure across internet infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0888 primarily involve immediate patching of affected BIND installations to versions that properly handle SRV record processing. Organizations should prioritize updating their DNS server software to versions that include fixes for this specific vulnerability, typically found in BIND 8.2.3 and later releases. Additionally, network administrators should implement proper access controls and firewall rules to limit exposure of DNS servers to untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and error handling in network services, aligning with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-248 Uncaught Exception. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1499 adversary tactic, specifically targeting network infrastructure to cause denial of service conditions. Organizations should also implement robust monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to ensure service continuity during potential attacks. The incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of timely security patch management and the potential consequences of running outdated software versions in production environments.