CVE-2002-0692 in FrontPage Server Extensions
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in SmartHTML Interpreter (shtml.dll) in Microsoft FrontPage Server Extensions (FPSE) 2000 and 2002 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) or run arbitrary code, respectively, via a certain type of web file request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0692 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the SmartHTML Interpreter component of Microsoft FrontPage Server Extensions 2000 and 2002. This vulnerability resides in the shtml.dll library which processes web file requests through the FrontPage Server Extensions framework. The buffer overflow occurs when the interpreter handles specific types of web requests that contain malformed data structures, leading to potential exploitation by remote attackers. The flaw manifests in the way the software manages memory allocation during the processing of HTML content, particularly when encountering certain web file request patterns that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the shtml.dll module. When a maliciously crafted web request is processed, the interpreter fails to properly bounds-check incoming data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow. The vulnerability can be exploited through HTTP requests that contain specially crafted parameters or content that triggers the vulnerable code path. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions due to inadequate bounds checking.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0692 extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to either consume excessive CPU resources through malformed requests that cause the web server to enter infinite loops or more critically, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process. This dual nature of exploitation means that systems running affected FrontPage Server Extensions could face either service disruption or complete system takeover depending on the attacker's objectives. The vulnerability affects Microsoft Windows Server 2000 and 2003 systems running the FrontPage Server Extensions, making it particularly dangerous for web hosting environments and corporate intranets that relied on FrontPage for content management.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables remote code execution through web-based attack vectors. The attack surface is particularly broad since FrontPage Server Extensions were commonly deployed on web servers accessible from the internet, making the exploitation relatively straightforward for threat actors. The vulnerability's impact is further exacerbated by the fact that it affects widely deployed server components, with many organizations unknowingly exposing vulnerable systems to remote exploitation. Security professionals should note that exploitation typically requires minimal sophistication, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for unpatched systems in production environments. The memory corruption aspects of this vulnerability also align with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges on the target system.
Organizations affected by CVE-2002-0692 should implement immediate mitigations including disabling FrontPage Server Extensions on affected systems, applying Microsoft security patches, and implementing network segmentation to limit exposure. The recommended approach involves either removing the vulnerable components entirely or applying the official Microsoft security update that addresses the buffer overflow in shtml.dll. Network-based mitigations such as firewall rules blocking access to FrontPage extension endpoints and intrusion detection system signatures for detecting exploitation attempts should also be deployed. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of FrontPage Server Extensions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from affecting future deployments.