CVE-2002-0865 in Virtual Machine
Summary
by MITRE
A certain class that supports XML (Extensible Markup Language) in Microsoft Virtual Machine (VM) 5.0.3805 and earlier, probably com.ms.osp.ospmrshl, exposes certain unsafe methods, which allows remote attackers to execute unsafe code via a Java applet, aka "Inappropriate Methods Exposed in XML Support Classes."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0865 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Virtual Machine version 5.0.3805 and earlier implementations. This issue specifically affects the XML support classes within the virtual machine environment, particularly the com.ms.osp.ospmrshl class which serves as a bridge between Java applets and XML processing capabilities. The vulnerability stems from improper method exposure within the XML support infrastructure that was designed to handle extensible markup language data structures and processing operations. The flaw creates a dangerous pathway for malicious actors to exploit the underlying virtual machine's security boundaries through carefully crafted Java applet code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exposure of unsafe methods within the XML support classes that should have been restricted or properly sandboxed. These methods likely provide direct access to underlying system resources or functionality that should remain protected from untrusted Java applet code execution. The com.ms.osp.ospmrshl class appears to have been designed with insufficient access controls or security boundaries that allow remote attackers to invoke dangerous operations through the Java applet interface. This exposure creates a direct attack vector where malicious code can bypass normal security restrictions and execute arbitrary commands or access sensitive system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the Microsoft Virtual Machine environment. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects users who rely on Java applets that utilize XML processing capabilities within the virtual machine, making it particularly dangerous in environments where such applets are commonly used for business applications or web-based services. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, making this vulnerability especially concerning for networked environments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-749, which describes "Exposed Dangerous Method or Function" in software security contexts, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all security-sensitive interfaces. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and code execution through sandbox bypass mechanisms. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it leverages the trusted Java applet execution environment to access dangerous system functionality that should remain isolated from untrusted code. Organizations implementing security controls should consider this vulnerability as a critical threat requiring immediate remediation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0865 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Microsoft Virtual Machine versions to the latest available security updates. System administrators should also implement network-based restrictions to limit access to XML processing functionality where possible, and consider disabling Java applet execution in environments where the vulnerability cannot be immediately patched. Additional protective measures include implementing strict network segmentation, monitoring for suspicious applet behavior, and maintaining updated intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to exploit this specific vulnerability pattern. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security assessments of all applications that depend on XML processing within the virtual machine environment to ensure no other similar vulnerabilities exist in the broader application stack.