CVE-2001-0502 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Running Windows 2000 LDAP Server over SSL, a function does not properly check the permissions of a user request when the directory principal is a domain user and the data attribute is the domain password, which allows local users to modify the login password of other users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0502 represents a critical access control flaw within the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol implementation of Windows 2000 Server when operating over Secure Sockets Layer connections. This issue specifically affects the directory service's handling of authentication and authorization processes, creating a privilege escalation vector that undermines the fundamental security model of the domain authentication system. The flaw manifests when a domain user attempts to access or modify password attributes through LDAP queries, exploiting a weakness in the permission validation mechanism that should normally prevent such cross-user modifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of user permissions during LDAP operations when SSL encryption is in use. The affected function fails to adequately verify that the requesting user has appropriate authorization to modify password attributes of other domain accounts, particularly when the target user is a domain member rather than a local account. This occurs within the context of the Active Directory service where the LDAP server processes requests for directory information and modifications. The flaw is specifically triggered when the directory principal is authenticated as a domain user and the targeted data attribute is the password field, creating a scenario where local users can bypass normal access controls and manipulate authentication credentials of other users within the domain.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential domain-wide compromise and credential theft. An attacker exploiting this weakness can modify the login passwords of other users, effectively gaining unauthorized access to their accounts and potentially escalating privileges throughout the domain hierarchy. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the core security assumptions of the Windows 2000 domain authentication model, allowing local users to perform actions that should be restricted to domain administrators or users with explicit permission to modify other accounts. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where domain users may have legitimate access to directory services but should not be able to modify other users' authentication credentials.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a specific instance of inadequate privilege validation within directory services. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and credential access methods, specifically targeting the T1078 credential access sub-technique. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security patches, reviewing and tightening LDAP access controls, implementing network segmentation to restrict direct access to domain controllers, and monitoring for unauthorized password modification attempts. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication and regular security audits of directory service configurations to prevent exploitation of similar access control weaknesses in the broader Active Directory infrastructure.