CVE-2001-0003 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Web Extender Client (WEC) in Microsoft Office 2000, Windows 2000, and Windows Me does not properly process Internet Explorer security settings for NTLM authentication, which allows attackers to obtain NTLM credentials and possibly obtain the password, aka the "Web Client NTLM Authentication" vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2019
The CVE-2001-0003 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Office 2000, Windows 2000, and Windows Me systems that specifically targets the Web Extender Client component. This vulnerability exploits the improper handling of Internet Explorer security settings during NTLM authentication processes, creating a pathway for attackers to capture NTLM credentials from network communications. The flaw exists within the Web Client NTLM Authentication mechanism where the system fails to adequately validate or process authentication parameters, allowing malicious actors to intercept and potentially reconstruct user passwords through credential harvesting techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the Web Extender Client's inadequate processing of NTLM authentication requests within the Microsoft Office suite. When users attempt to access web resources that require authentication, the WEC component does not properly enforce the security settings configured in Internet Explorer, particularly those related to NTLM authentication. This misconfiguration allows attackers to manipulate authentication flows and capture NTLM hash values that can subsequently be cracked to obtain actual passwords. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the Web Extender Client is installed and actively used for web-based operations, making it particularly dangerous in corporate environments where Office applications are widely deployed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to network resources and systems. Once NTLM credentials are captured, attackers can leverage these to authenticate to various network services, potentially escalating privileges and moving laterally within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the authentication layer where users expect robust security controls to be in place, and it affects multiple Microsoft platforms simultaneously, amplifying its potential impact across different organizational environments. This flaw directly violates security principles outlined in the principle of least privilege and proper authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0003 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems and implementation of network-level protections. Microsoft released security updates to address this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches across all affected platforms. Additionally, network administrators should implement strict firewall rules to limit access to authentication services and consider disabling NTLM authentication where possible in favor of more secure protocols like Kerberos. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a classic example of how client-side components can create security weaknesses in enterprise environments. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual authentication patterns and credential capture attempts, as recommended in the ATT&CK framework's credential access tactics.