CVE-2002-1184 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The system root folder of Microsoft Windows 2000 has default permissions of Everyone group with Full access (Everyone:F) and is in the search path when locating programs during login or application launch from the desktop, which could allow attackers to gain privileges as other users via Trojan horse programs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1184 represents a critical privilege escalation issue within Microsoft Windows 2000 systems that stems from improper default permissions assigned to the system root folder. This flaw exists in the operating system's default configuration where the root directory lacks appropriate access controls, granting the Everyone group full permissions including read, write, and execute capabilities. The default setting of Everyone:F creates an inherently insecure environment where any user can modify critical system files and executables. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because the system root folder is included in the default search path used by Windows during program execution, meaning that when applications or system processes attempt to locate and execute programs, they will first look in this directory before checking other locations in the path.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a Trojan horse attack vector where an attacker places a malicious executable with the same name as a legitimate system program in the root folder. When a user logs in or launches an application that references the compromised program name, Windows will execute the attacker's malicious code instead of the legitimate system executable. This process leverages the Windows search order mechanism which prioritizes locations in the PATH environment variable, with the current directory being checked first when no full path is specified. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-276, which describes improper privileges on resources, and CWE-78, which addresses OS command injection. This weakness enables attackers to execute code with the privileges of the user who runs the targeted program, potentially allowing for privilege escalation to higher user levels or even system administrator access.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1184 extends beyond simple code execution as it provides a persistent foothold for attackers within the compromised system. Once an attacker successfully places malicious executables in the root directory, they can maintain access across system reboots and continue to execute code without requiring additional exploitation steps. The vulnerability affects all Windows 2000 systems that have not had their default permissions modified, making it particularly widespread in enterprise environments where default installations are common. This flaw also creates opportunities for attackers to establish backdoors, harvest credentials, or deploy additional malware payloads. The attack vector is relatively simple to execute since attackers need only have basic file system write access to the root directory, which is often granted to standard users in default installations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1547.001 (Registry Run Keys) as attackers can leverage the system's default search behavior to achieve persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1184 require immediate administrative intervention to correct the default permissions on the system root folder. System administrators should modify the permissions to remove the Everyone group's full access rights and implement proper access controls that limit write permissions to authorized administrative users only. The recommended approach involves setting the root folder permissions to include only the SYSTEM and Administrators groups with appropriate permissions. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security audits to verify that default permissions have not been altered and that the system root folder is not included in PATH variables unnecessarily. Network segmentation and privilege separation can also help reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities by limiting the scope of potential attacks. The most effective long-term solution involves implementing the principle of least privilege and ensuring that system configurations follow security best practices as outlined in various industry standards including those from NIST and ISO 27001. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting solutions to prevent unauthorized executables from running, which would further protect against this type of attack vector even if the underlying permission issue remains unaddressed.