CVE-2002-0641 in SQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in bulk insert procedure of Microsoft SQL Server 2000, including Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine (MSDE) 2000, allows attackers with database administration privileges to execute arbitrary code via a long filename in the BULK INSERT query.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0641 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the bulk insert functionality of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and its associated Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine 2000 implementation. This security weakness resides in the handling of file paths during bulk data import operations, where the system fails to properly validate the length of filename parameters provided in BULK INSERT queries. The vulnerability specifically affects the server-side processing of these operations, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors with administrative database access privileges.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the SQL Server 2000 bulk insert procedure implementation. When a BULK INSERT command is executed with a filename parameter exceeding the allocated buffer space, the system experiences a classic buffer overflow condition. This occurs because the application does not perform proper bounds checking on the length of the filename string before copying it into a fixed-size memory buffer. The overflow can overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data structures, potentially allowing an attacker to redirect program execution flow.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability is severe as it requires only database administrative privileges to exploit, which are often more accessible than system-level administrative rights. Attackers can craft malicious BULK INSERT queries containing excessively long filenames to trigger the buffer overflow condition, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the SQL Server process. This execution context typically provides elevated privileges that could enable attackers to access sensitive database information, modify data, or even escalate to full system compromise depending on the underlying operating system permissions. The vulnerability affects both enterprise and desktop editions of SQL Server 2000, making it particularly widespread across various deployment scenarios.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including privilege escalation and command and control operations, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to establish persistent access to database systems. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflow conditions occurring in stack memory allocations. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Microsoft security patches, restricting database administrative privileges to only essential personnel, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to SQL Server instances. Additionally, input validation controls should be implemented at the application level to prevent overly long filename parameters from reaching the database engine, though this represents a defensive measure rather than a primary solution to the underlying vulnerability. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in database server implementations, particularly in legacy systems that may not receive ongoing security updates.