CVE-2000-0933 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Input Method Editor (IME) in the Simplified Chinese version of Windows 2000 does not disable access to privileged functionality that should normally be restricted, which allows local users to gain privileges, aka the "Simplified Chinese IME State Recognition" vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2017
The CVE-2000-0933 vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Input Method Editor component of Windows 2000's Simplified Chinese version. This vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the IME subsystem that fails to adequately restrict privileged operations during state recognition processes. The vulnerability specifically affects systems running the Simplified Chinese localization of Windows 2000 where the IME component handles text input for Chinese character sets. The flaw occurs when the IME state recognition process does not properly validate or restrict access to privileged system functions that should normally be restricted to administrators or system processes. This creates an opportunity for local attackers to exploit the vulnerability and elevate their privileges to system level access, effectively bypassing standard security controls that normally protect privileged operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the IME subsystem maintaining certain internal states that should normally be protected from unauthorized access. When the IME processes input for Simplified Chinese characters, it maintains state information that includes references to privileged system resources and functions. The vulnerability manifests when these state recognition mechanisms fail to properly enforce access controls, allowing local users to manipulate the IME state in ways that grant access to privileged operations. This flaw operates at the kernel level within the Windows 2000 operating system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring network connectivity or specialized tools beyond local system access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-276 as improper privilege management, which directly relates to the failure to properly restrict access to privileged system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise entire systems. Local users who exploit this vulnerability can gain administrative privileges and subsequently access sensitive system resources, modify critical system files, install malicious software, or establish persistent backdoors. The attack vector requires only local system access, making it particularly concerning as it can be exploited by users who already have basic login credentials. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of Windows 2000 by allowing users to bypass the standard access control mechanisms that normally prevent non-privileged users from accessing system-critical functions. The implications are severe as it can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches, especially in environments where local user access is not properly controlled.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0933 focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security patches and updates released as part of their regular security update cycle. Organizations should ensure all systems running the Simplified Chinese version of Windows 2000 are updated with the appropriate security patches. Additional mitigations include implementing strict access controls for local user accounts, disabling unnecessary IME functionality when not required, and monitoring system logs for suspicious privilege escalation attempts. Security professionals should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit local access privileges and regularly audit system configurations to identify potential exploitation vectors. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation, and T1547 which addresses registry and startup item modifications that may be used to maintain access post-exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive input validation and access control mechanisms in system components that handle user input processing, particularly in internationalized versions of operating systems where additional complexity in input handling may introduce security gaps.