CVE-2002-0051 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Windows 2000 allows local users to prevent the application of new group policy settings by opening Group Policy files with exclusive-read access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2025
This vulnerability exists in Microsoft Windows 2000 operating systems where the Group Policy service fails to properly handle file access permissions when processing group policy objects. The flaw occurs during the application of new group policy settings where the system attempts to open policy files with exclusive-read access rather than shared access. This behavior creates a denial of service condition that prevents legitimate group policy updates from being applied to affected systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Windows 2000 domain controller and member server implementations where group policy processing occurs. When a local user opens a group policy file with exclusive-read access, the Group Policy service cannot obtain the necessary file locks to read or modify the policy configuration, resulting in policy application failures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper file handling within the Windows Group Policy subsystem. When the system attempts to process group policy updates, it uses file access methods that do not account for concurrent access scenarios. This design flaw creates a race condition where a local user can acquire an exclusive file lock on policy configuration files, preventing the Group Policy service from accessing these critical system files. The vulnerability operates at the file system level and affects the Windows 2000 kernel and Group Policy service components. This issue is categorized under CWE-121 as a buffer overflow in kernel space, though the specific manifestation involves file access control rather than memory corruption. The flaw represents a classic case of inadequate resource management where file locking mechanisms fail to properly coordinate access between system services and user processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise enterprise security policies and system administration capabilities. When group policy settings cannot be applied, critical security configurations such as password policies, account lockout thresholds, and software restrictions may remain unapplied or become inconsistent across the network. This creates a security risk where systems may not maintain the intended security posture, potentially exposing the network to unauthorized access or privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability affects Windows 2000 domain environments where centralized policy management is critical for maintaining security standards. Attackers can exploit this weakness to maintain persistent access to systems by preventing security updates or by ensuring that malicious policies are not overwritten by legitimate ones. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where group policy is used extensively for system hardening and security enforcement.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate operational fixes and long-term architectural improvements. System administrators should implement proper file access controls and ensure that Group Policy service accounts have appropriate privileges to access policy files without interference from local user processes. The recommended approach includes applying Microsoft security patches that modify the Group Policy service to use shared file access modes instead of exclusive access. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring solutions that detect when group policy files are being accessed exclusively by user processes, allowing for proactive intervention. The mitigation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1562 for disabling security tools, as this vulnerability can be exploited to prevent security updates and maintain unauthorized access. Network segmentation and privilege separation should also be implemented to reduce the attack surface and prevent local users from gaining the ability to interfere with critical system policy updates. Organizations should also consider implementing automated policy validation and monitoring to detect when group policy application fails due to file access conflicts.