CVE-2002-2105 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Windows XP allows local users to prevent the system from booting via a corrupt explorer.exe.manifest file.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-2105 represents a critical boot process manipulation flaw within Microsoft Windows XP operating systems that enables local attackers to disrupt system initialization. This issue specifically targets the Windows Explorer component through manipulation of the explorer.exe.manifest file, which serves as a crucial deployment and execution manifest for the graphical shell interface. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation mechanisms during the system boot sequence, particularly when the operating system attempts to load and process the manifest file that defines how explorer.exe should be executed and configured.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local user places a corrupt or maliciously crafted explorer.exe.manifest file in the appropriate system directory, typically within the Windows system folders where the operating system expects to find valid manifest files. When Windows XP attempts to boot and initialize the graphical user interface, it reads this manifest file to determine how to properly execute the explorer.exe process. The system lacks adequate validation checks to verify the integrity and authenticity of the manifest file, allowing an attacker to inject corrupted data that prevents proper system initialization. This flaw operates at the system level rather than requiring network connectivity or remote exploitation, making it particularly concerning for local privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system disruption, as it can effectively render a Windows XP system unusable and prevent normal boot procedures from completing successfully. When the corrupted manifest file is processed during boot, the system may fail to initialize the desktop environment, preventing users from accessing basic system functions or even reaching the login screen. This creates a denial of service condition that can persist until the corrupted file is manually removed or replaced, potentially requiring system recovery procedures or even complete reinstallations. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where users have local access or administrative privileges, as they can manipulate system files without requiring external network access or complex attack vectors.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader system integrity protection frameworks and the importance of file validation mechanisms. The flaw aligns with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-170, which addresses issues related to improper handling of input data that can lead to system instability or denial of service conditions. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework's initial access and privilege escalation domains, particularly when considering how local users might leverage such flaws to gain more persistent control over affected systems. Organizations should implement proper file integrity monitoring, restrict local user privileges where possible, and maintain regular system backups to ensure rapid recovery from such boot-time manipulations. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of manifest file validation in modern operating systems and the need for robust integrity checks during system initialization processes to prevent unauthorized modifications from compromising core system functionality.