CVE-2002-0283 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Windows XP with port 445 open allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via a flood of TCP SYN packets containing possibly malformed data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0283 represents a significant denial of service weakness in Microsoft Windows XP operating systems when the SMB service is accessible via TCP port 445. This flaw exploits the Windows XP implementation of the Server Message Block protocol which is commonly used for file sharing and network communication. The vulnerability specifically targets the TCP connection handling mechanism within the SMB service, creating a condition where the system becomes overwhelmed by incoming connection requests.
The technical exploitation involves sending a flood of TCP SYN packets to the target Windows XP system on port 445, with these packets containing potentially malformed data structures. This attack pattern specifically targets the TCP/IP stack implementation in Windows XP where the system processes these malformed SYN packets in a way that consumes excessive CPU resources. The malformed data causes the operating system to spend disproportionate processing time in handling these packets, leading to a gradual degradation of system performance until the system becomes unresponsive or completely unavailable to legitimate users.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a critical risk to Windows XP systems that have the SMB service enabled and accessible over the network. The attack can be executed with relatively simple tools and does not require authentication or advanced privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Windows XP systems are exposed to untrusted network traffic. Organizations running Windows XP with open port 445 are vulnerable to this attack, which can be executed by anyone who can reach the target system over the network, potentially causing widespread service disruption.
The attack mechanism aligns with the ATT&CK framework's methodology for denial of service attacks, specifically targeting system resources through network-based exploitation. This vulnerability demonstrates how fundamental protocol implementations can be exploited to consume system resources without requiring direct access to the target system. The underlying cause can be categorized as a weakness in the TCP stack implementation, potentially related to CWE-129 which addresses improper handling of input data in network protocols.
Effective mitigation strategies include implementing network-level filtering to block traffic on TCP port 445 from untrusted sources, disabling the SMB service if not required, and applying appropriate firewall rules to limit access to the port. Organizations should also consider implementing rate limiting mechanisms to prevent SYN flood attacks from overwhelming system resources. Network segmentation and access control measures can further reduce the attack surface by limiting exposure of Windows XP systems to external networks. Additionally, regular system updates and security patches should be applied to address known vulnerabilities in the TCP/IP stack implementation.