CVE-2002-0645 in SQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in stored procedures for Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and Microsoft Desktop Engine (MSDE) 2000 may allow authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2019
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and MSDE 2000 environments where stored procedures fail to properly validate input parameters before incorporating them into dynamic SQL queries. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms within the database engine's stored procedure execution framework, allowing authenticated users with sufficient privileges to manipulate SQL command structures through carefully crafted input data. The flaw specifically manifests when user-supplied data is concatenated directly into SQL statements without proper escaping or parameterization, creating opportunities for malicious command injection attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of stored procedure parameters that are subsequently used to construct dynamic SQL commands. When an authenticated user provides malicious input that bypasses input validation checks, the database engine executes the injected SQL code with the privileges of the executing stored procedure. This creates a pathway for attackers to escalate their privileges and potentially execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate database authentication mechanisms, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious activity within network monitoring systems.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables authenticated attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify database contents, and potentially escalate privileges to system-level access. The attack surface extends beyond simple data theft to include complete system compromise, as the injected commands can execute with elevated privileges depending on how the stored procedures are configured. Organizations running affected versions of SQL Server 2000 and MSDE 2000 face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations. The vulnerability affects database administrators and application developers who may inadvertently create stored procedures that do not properly validate input parameters, making it a widespread concern across legacy database environments.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries within stored procedures to prevent dynamic SQL construction from incorporating user-supplied data. Organizations should enforce the principle of least privilege for database accounts and implement comprehensive monitoring of database activities to detect anomalous command execution patterns. The CWE catalog classifies this vulnerability under CWE-89 SQL Injection, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that affects database applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and scripting interpreter execution, privilege escalation, and data manipulation. Microsoft released patches for this vulnerability in their security updates, but organizations must ensure proper patch management and application of security updates to protect against exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in database application development, particularly for legacy systems that may not receive ongoing security support.