CVE-2004-0568 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
HyperTerminal application for Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 does not properly validate the length of a value that is saved in a session file, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malicious HyperTerminal session file (.ht), web site, or Telnet URL contained in an e-mail message, triggering a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0568 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the HyperTerminal application across multiple windows operating systems including Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003. This issue stems from the application's inadequate validation mechanisms when processing session file data, specifically concerning the length of values stored within HyperTerminal session files with the .ht extension. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to read and process maliciously crafted session files, web sites, or Telnet URLs that are embedded within email messages, creating a dangerous attack vector that can be exploited remotely.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through improper bounds checking within the HyperTerminal application's session file parsing logic. When the application encounters a session file containing oversized data values, it fails to validate the length constraints before copying data into fixed-size buffers, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. This buffer overflow condition typically results in stack corruption or heap corruption depending on how the vulnerable code handles the data processing, creating opportunities for attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the target system's memory space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to systems running vulnerable versions of Windows. The attack surface is particularly broad since HyperTerminal was widely available and often used for remote system administration, making it a prime target for exploitation. The vulnerability can be triggered through multiple vectors including email attachments, web-based content, or network-based session files, significantly increasing the attack surface and making it difficult for users to protect against such threats. Organizations relying on these older Windows versions face substantial risk as the vulnerability affects systems that may not receive regular security updates due to their age.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through patch management, as Microsoft released security updates to address this specific buffer overflow issue. System administrators should implement strict email filtering policies to prevent users from opening potentially malicious session files or clicking on suspicious URLs that might lead to exploitation. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening unknown session files and the importance of verifying the source of any HyperTerminal session files before execution. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how legacy applications can pose significant security risks in modern network environments, particularly when they lack proper input validation mechanisms. The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability follows typical remote code execution techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation domains, making it a critical concern for enterprise security teams managing older Windows infrastructure.