CVE-2002-0369 in ASP.NET
Summary
by MITRE
buffer overflow in asp.net worker process allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (restart) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a routine that processes cookies while in stateserver mode.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0369 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the asp.net worker process that operates in stateserver mode. This flaw specifically targets the routine responsible for processing cookies, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system through carefully crafted cookie data. The vulnerability exists in the handling of session state management when asp.net applications utilize the state server mode rather than in-memory session storage, making it particularly relevant for applications deployed in distributed environments where state server functionality is essential for maintaining user session data across multiple web servers.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the asp.net worker process receives cookie data that exceeds the allocated buffer size during processing. This condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations within the process address space, potentially causing the application to crash and restart, thereby resulting in a denial of service condition. However, the severity extends beyond simple service disruption as the memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the asp.net worker process. The attack vector requires remote access to the vulnerable system and the ability to inject malicious cookie data that triggers the overflow condition, making it accessible to attackers who can interact with the web application through standard network protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests in multiple ways that affect system availability and security posture. The primary effect is the potential for unauthorized denial of service attacks that can repeatedly restart the asp.net worker process, disrupting legitimate user access to web applications and potentially causing significant downtime for affected services. More critically, the buffer overflow condition creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors could execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations running asp.net applications in state server mode, which is commonly implemented in load-balanced environments where session state must be shared across multiple web servers to maintain consistent user experiences.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0369 should prioritize immediate patch application from microsoft as the primary defense mechanism, given that this vulnerability was addressed through official security updates released in 2002. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable asp.net applications to untrusted networks. The configuration of asp.net applications should be reviewed to ensure that state server mode is not unnecessarily enabled when in-memory session storage would suffice, as this reduces the attack surface. Additionally, monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect unusual cookie processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, with security information and event management systems configured to alert on potential buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be exploited through remote network access, consistent with techniques documented in the attack tactics and techniques framework. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and runtime protection mechanisms to prevent unauthorized code execution, while maintaining comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to address potential service disruptions caused by this vulnerability.