CVE-2001-0350 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Windows 2000 telnet service creates named pipes with predictable names and does not properly verify them, which allows local users to execute arbitrary commands by creating a named pipe with the predictable name and associating a malicious program with it, the second of two variants of this vulnerability.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0350 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Windows 2000 telnet service that stems from improper handling of named pipes. This issue falls under the category of predictable resource manipulation and demonstrates a fundamental failure in access control mechanisms within the Windows operating system. The vulnerability specifically affects the telnet service implementation on Windows 2000 systems where named pipes are created with predictable naming conventions, making them susceptible to exploitation by local attackers who can manipulate the system's resource allocation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the predictable naming scheme of named pipes used by the Windows 2000 telnet service. When the telnet service initializes, it creates named pipes with predetermined names that follow a specific pattern, allowing local users to anticipate and create their own named pipes with identical names. This predictable behavior violates fundamental security principles and creates a race condition scenario where malicious users can intercept or override legitimate system resources. The flaw resides in the service's failure to properly validate or verify the authenticity of named pipes before utilizing them, enabling unauthorized command execution through the manipulation of these predictable resources.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to Windows 2000 systems as it allows local users to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code without requiring remote access or authentication. The attack vector leverages the local user's ability to create named pipes with specific names, effectively hijacking the telnet service's resource management. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level and can be exploited by users who already have local access to the system, potentially enabling privilege escalation to higher system privileges. The impact extends beyond simple command execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access control issues, and specifically relates to improper privilege management within named pipe operations. Additionally, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through process injection and execution through system services. The predictable naming pattern creates a window of opportunity for attackers to perform malicious activities that would otherwise require more sophisticated attack vectors. Organizations running Windows 2000 systems with telnet services were particularly vulnerable to this class of attack, as the flaw existed in the core service implementation rather than in application code, making it more difficult to patch or mitigate without system-level intervention.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0350 should focus on disabling unnecessary telnet services, implementing proper access controls, and ensuring that all system resources are properly validated before use. System administrators should consider implementing network segmentation to limit local access privileges and regularly audit system configurations to identify services that may be vulnerable to similar resource manipulation attacks. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to newer operating systems that properly implement secure resource management and access control mechanisms, as Windows 2000 reached end-of-life and no longer receives security updates. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous named pipe creation patterns and establish proper patch management procedures to address such vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in real-world scenarios.