CVE-2003-0665 in Access
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the ActiveX control for Microsoft Access Snapshot Viewer for Access 97, 2000, and 2002 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via long parameters to the control.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0665 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ActiveX control component of Microsoft Access Snapshot Viewer versions 97, 2000, and 2002. This issue resides in the handling of input parameters within the ActiveX control interface, creating a condition where maliciously crafted data can exceed the allocated memory buffer space. The vulnerability specifically affects systems running these legacy versions of Microsoft Access Snapshot Viewer, which were widely deployed in enterprise environments for viewing database snapshots and reports. The buffer overflow occurs when the control processes parameters passed to it through web pages or other applications, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios where users might inadvertently encounter malicious content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The ActiveX control implementation fails to validate parameter lengths properly, enabling attackers to inject excessive data that overflows the predetermined buffer space allocated for parameter storage. This overflow can overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures within the program execution context. The vulnerability is particularly severe because ActiveX controls are designed to execute with the privileges of the user running the application, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious code with elevated permissions.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on legacy Microsoft Access systems, as it can be exploited through web browsers without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. Attackers can craft specially formatted web pages that contain malicious parameters designed to trigger the buffer overflow when the vulnerable ActiveX control processes them. The execution of arbitrary code allows for complete system compromise, enabling attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The widespread deployment of these older Access Snapshot Viewer versions across corporate networks increases the potential attack surface, as many organizations may not have updated to patched versions or may be using legacy systems that cannot be easily upgraded.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0665 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with Microsoft security updates specifically addressing this vulnerability. Organizations must also implement browser security configurations that disable ActiveX controls or restrict their execution to trusted sites only. Network-based mitigations including firewall rules and web application firewalls can help prevent exploitation attempts by blocking malicious content from reaching vulnerable systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software systems and the risks associated with legacy software components that may not receive security updates. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation, with the attack chain typically beginning with initial access through web browsing and progressing to system compromise through code execution. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other legacy software components that may be running in production environments.