CVE-2001-0147 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Windows 2000 event viewer snap-in allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a malformed field that is improperly handled during the detailed view of event records.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0147 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Windows 2000 event viewer snap-in component that exists in the Windows NT operating system family. This issue specifically affects the detailed view functionality of event records within the event viewer interface, creating a potential pathway for remote code execution. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling when processing malformed event data fields, particularly those that exceed allocated buffer boundaries during display operations. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability falls under the category of stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw manifests when the event viewer component attempts to render event details containing overly long or malformed strings that are not properly sanitized before being processed by the underlying buffer management routines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the event viewer application. This typically translates to system compromise when the event viewer is accessed by administrative users or when the vulnerability is exploited through remote attack vectors such as network-based event logging or malicious event injection. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as successful exploitation would allow adversaries to execute commands on the target system. The buffer overflow occurs specifically during the rendering of event details, making it particularly dangerous because it can be triggered by simply viewing an event record in the detailed view mode, potentially allowing for automated exploitation through malicious event log entries.
Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where event logs are frequently accessed and monitored. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and inadequate input sanitization within the Windows 2000 event viewer snap-in, where string handling operations do not properly validate the length or content of event fields before copying them into fixed-size buffers. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how legacy systems often contain unpatched buffer overflow conditions that persist across multiple versions of operating systems, as the Windows 2000 platform was widely deployed in enterprise environments at the time of its discovery. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should consider immediate remediation through Microsoft security patches and implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running vulnerable versions of Windows 2000, while also monitoring for potential exploitation attempts through anomalous event log entries or unusual access patterns to the event viewer component.