CVE-2000-1105 in Indexing Service
Summary
by MITRE
The ixsso.query ActiveX Object is marked as safe for scripting, which allows malicious web site operators to embed a script that remotely determines the existence of files on visiting Windows 2000 systems that have Indexing Services enabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-1105 represents a significant security flaw in the ixsso.query ActiveX object implementation within Windows 2000 systems. This issue arises from the improper marking of the ActiveX control as "safe for scripting" when it should not have been granted such privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects systems running Windows 2000 with Indexing Services enabled, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorized knowledge about file systems. This misclassification allows the ActiveX control to execute with elevated privileges that should be restricted, fundamentally compromising the security boundaries of the affected systems.
The technical flaw manifests through the manipulation of the ixsso.query ActiveX object which is designed to provide indexing services functionality. When this object is marked as safe for scripting, it bypasses normal security restrictions that would typically prevent remote code execution or information disclosure. Attackers can leverage this misconfiguration by embedding malicious scripts within web pages that, when visited by unsuspecting users, automatically attempt to query the indexing service for specific file paths. The vulnerability exploits the trust relationship between the browser and ActiveX controls, allowing remote attackers to perform file system enumeration without proper authentication or authorization. This behavior directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a critical failure in the security model of ActiveX controls within the Windows 2000 environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-1105 is substantial as it enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities that could lead to more sophisticated attacks. By determining the existence of specific files on a compromised system, threat actors can gather intelligence about the target environment, identify potential attack vectors, and plan subsequent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where Indexing Services is enabled, which was common in enterprise environments where search functionality was desired. This information disclosure capability can be leveraged to map network structures, identify sensitive files, and understand the overall attack surface of the target system. The implications extend beyond simple file enumeration as this information can be used to guide more targeted attacks, including privilege escalation attempts and data exfiltration operations.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, and demonstrates the importance of proper security configuration management. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under initial access and reconnaissance phases, where adversaries gather information about target systems before executing more destructive operations. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the problematic ActiveX control, applying security patches, and restricting ActiveX control usage through group policy configurations. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security assessments of all ActiveX controls and proper security review processes before deployment. System administrators should consider implementing network-based restrictions and monitoring for suspicious ActiveX control usage patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security configurations and understanding the security implications of third-party components integrated into enterprise environments.