CVE-2000-1083 in SQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
The xp_showcolv function in SQL Server and Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine (MSDE) does not properly restrict the length of a buffer before calling the srv_paraminfo function in the SQL Server API for Extended Stored Procedures (XP), which allows an attacker to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary commands, aka the "Extended Stored Procedure Parameter Parsing" vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2025
The CVE-2000-1083 vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine implementations. This flaw resides within the xp_showcolv extended stored procedure, which serves as an interface for retrieving column information from database tables. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly validate input parameter lengths before invoking the srv_paraminfo function within the SQL Server Extended Stored Procedures API. This omission creates a scenario where malicious input can exceed allocated buffer boundaries, potentially leading to unpredictable system behavior and security compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of parameter values passed to the xp_showcolv function. When an attacker supplies overly long parameter data, the system's inadequate buffer length checking allows memory corruption to occur during the srv_paraminfo function call. This memory corruption can result in stack smashing or heap corruption, which may manifest as application crashes, denial of service conditions, or more severe exploitation opportunities. The vulnerability specifically targets the Extended Stored Procedures API, which provides a mechanism for developers to extend SQL Server functionality through external DLLs, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at a privileged system level.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-1083 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios into potential arbitrary code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to database systems, potentially escalating privileges to the level of the SQL Server service account. This privilege escalation capability makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to malicious actors seeking persistent access to database environments. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Microsoft SQL Server and MSDE, creating widespread exposure across various enterprise environments where these database systems are deployed. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of data compromise, system availability disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The exploitability of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.002, which involves the use of command and scripting interpreters, as attackers can execute arbitrary commands through the compromised extended stored procedure interface. Mitigation strategies include immediate application of Microsoft security patches, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to SQL Server instances, and deployment of intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected SQL Server installations and ensure proper input validation is implemented at all levels of database interaction.