CVE-2000-0942 in Indexing Service
Summary
by MITRE
The CiWebHitsFile component in Microsoft Indexing Services for Windows 2000 allows remote attackers to conduct a cross site scripting (CSS) attack via a CiRestriction parameter in a .htw request, aka the "Indexing Services Cross Site Scripting" vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2025
The CVE-2000-0942 vulnerability represents a critical cross site scripting flaw in Microsoft Indexing Services for Windows 2000, specifically affecting the CiWebHitsFile component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation within the web handling mechanism of the indexing service, creating an exploitable path for remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web responses. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a core indexing service component that many organizations rely upon for content management and search functionality.
The technical flaw manifests through the CiRestriction parameter within .htw request processing, where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into web responses without proper sanitization or encoding. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing crafted script code within the CiRestriction parameter, the indexing service processes this input and includes it in the HTTP response sent to the victim's browser. This occurs because the component fails to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, allowing malicious payloads to be executed in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, specifically manifesting as a cross site scripting attack vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, manipulate web content, and potentially escalate privileges within the compromised environment. An attacker could craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by an unsuspecting user, would execute scripts in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session theft, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The attack requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where indexing services are widely deployed.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in web service responses. The recommended approach involves implementing proper parameter sanitization techniques and ensuring that all user input is properly encoded before being included in web responses. Additionally, network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by filtering malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable component. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the victim environment, and T1566 for credential access through social engineering, as it can be used to steal user sessions and credentials. Microsoft released security patches to address this vulnerability, and organizations should ensure their systems are updated to prevent exploitation of this cross site scripting flaw in their indexing service implementations.