CVE-2001-0047 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The default permissions for the MTS Package Administration registry key in Windows NT 4.0 allows local users to install or modify arbitrary Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS) packages and gain privileges, aka one of the "Registry Permissions" vulnerabilities.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0047 represents a critical privilege escalation issue within Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 operating systems, specifically targeting the Microsoft Transaction Server package administration functionality. This flaw stems from improper default security configurations in the Windows registry, where the MTS Package Administration registry key is configured with overly permissive access controls that allow any local user to manipulate transaction server components without proper authorization. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of registry permission misconfigurations that have historically been exploited to gain elevated system privileges and compromise overall system integrity.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the Windows NT 4.0 registry structure where the MTS Package Administration key is configured with default permissions that grant full control to the local user group. This misconfiguration enables any authenticated user on the system to modify or replace MTS packages, which are critical components responsible for managing distributed transactions and enterprise applications. When local users can modify these packages, they can potentially inject malicious code or alter existing functionality to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing normal access controls and security boundaries that should protect the system from unauthorized modifications.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-0047 is significant as it provides local attackers with a straightforward path to privilege escalation and system compromise. Once an attacker gains access to a local account, they can leverage this vulnerability to install malicious MTS packages that may contain backdoors, rootkits, or other malicious payloads designed to maintain persistent access to the compromised system. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level and can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges initially, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to establish persistent presence on compromised systems. The vulnerability affects all Windows NT 4.0 installations and represents one of the early examples of registry-based privilege escalation attacks that influenced subsequent security hardening practices.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which specifically addresses improper permissions for critical resources, and demonstrates how weak default configurations can create security holes that allow unauthorized access to system-critical components. The attack pattern associated with CVE-2001-0047 corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics, particularly those involving registry modification and access token manipulation. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate registry permission hardening measures, including restricting access to MTS-related registry keys and ensuring that only authorized system administrators have the ability to modify transaction server packages. Additionally, regular security audits of registry configurations and mandatory access control reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through default installations or misconfigurations.
The remediation approach for CVE-2001-0047 requires immediate implementation of registry permission controls that restrict access to the MTS Package Administration key. System administrators should configure the registry to remove unnecessary write permissions for local users and ensure that only specific authorized accounts or groups can modify MTS packages. This vulnerability highlights the importance of defense-in-depth strategies and the necessity of regularly reviewing and updating security configurations, particularly in legacy systems that may contain default configurations that were not designed with modern security requirements in mind. The issue also underscores the need for comprehensive security awareness training and proper configuration management practices to prevent similar registry permission vulnerabilities from being introduced in future system deployments.