CVE-2002-1145 in SQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
The xp_runwebtask stored procedure in the Web Tasks component of Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 and 2000, Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE) 1.0, and Microsoft Desktop Engine (MSDE) 2000 can be executed by PUBLIC, which allows an attacker to gain privileges by updating a webtask that is owned by the database owner through the msdb.dbo.mswebtasks table, which does not have strong permissions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1145 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Microsoft SQL Server's Web Tasks component that affects versions 7.0 and 2000, along with MSDE 1.0 and MSDE 2000. This vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the xp_runwebtask stored procedure, which is designed to execute web tasks through the SQL Server environment. The flaw allows any user in the PUBLIC role to execute this procedure, creating a significant security gap that can be exploited by malicious actors to elevate their privileges within the database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the msdb.dbo.mswebtasks table, which serves as the underlying mechanism for storing and managing web tasks within SQL Server's msdb database. This table lacks proper permission controls, allowing unauthorized users to modify webtask configurations that are typically restricted to database owners or administrators. When an attacker exploits this vulnerability, they can manipulate the webtask execution environment to run arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing the normal security boundaries that should protect the database system from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1145 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute malicious code with the privileges of the database owner, which often corresponds to the SQL Server service account. This account typically possesses extensive system permissions that can be leveraged to access sensitive data, modify database contents, or even escalate to full system administration privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting database access control mechanisms.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and represents a classic example of insufficient authorization checks within database systems. The flaw demonstrates how weak permission models in legacy database components can create persistent security risks, particularly in environments where database administrators fail to properly configure access controls or apply security patches. Organizations running affected versions of SQL Server face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication credentials for the database system itself, making it particularly dangerous in production environments.
The recommended mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1145 involve multiple layers of security controls including immediate patching of affected systems, disabling the xp_runwebtask stored procedure through explicit permission revocation, and implementing proper access controls on the msdb database. Security administrators should also consider restricting network access to SQL Server instances, implementing network segmentation, and conducting regular security audits to identify similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities in other database components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper security configuration management and demonstrates how seemingly minor access control flaws can result in major security incidents, particularly in database environments where privileged access can be leveraged for extensive system compromise.