CVE-2004-2365 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Memory leak in Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory exhaustion) by repeatedly creating and deleting directories using a non-standard tool such as smbmount.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2365 represents a significant memory management flaw within Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 operating systems that manifests through improper handling of directory creation and deletion operations. This memory leak occurs specifically when users employ non-standard tools such as smbmount to repeatedly create and remove directories, leading to progressive memory consumption that ultimately results in system instability and denial of service conditions. The flaw stems from inadequate memory cleanup procedures within the file system handling mechanisms, particularly when dealing with network file system operations that utilize the Server Message Block protocol.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way Windows handles directory operations through its file system kernel components, specifically within the ntfs.sys driver and related file system management routines. When smbmount or similar tools repeatedly invoke directory creation and deletion functions, the system fails to properly release allocated memory structures associated with directory entries, file table entries, and related metadata. This memory allocation pattern creates a progressive accumulation of unreleased memory blocks that gradually consume available system resources. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-401 as a failure to release memory after allocation, which directly relates to the improper memory management practices that allow the leak to persist across multiple operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a straightforward yet effective method for local attackers to exhaust system memory resources through simple directory manipulation operations. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed using standard command-line tools or custom scripts that repeatedly perform directory creation and deletion cycles. The impact extends beyond simple resource exhaustion as the memory leak can cause system instability, application crashes, and ultimately complete system lockups that require manual rebooting. Network services and applications that depend on stable memory allocation are particularly vulnerable to cascading failures when this memory exhaustion occurs, making it a significant concern for enterprise environments where continuous system availability is critical.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2365 primarily focus on implementing proper system updates and patches provided by Microsoft, specifically Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 releases that address the underlying memory management issues. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual directory creation patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, along with establishing memory usage thresholds that trigger automated alerts. Network administrators should consider implementing access controls to limit the use of non-standard tools like smbmount and establish proper user permissions that prevent unauthorized directory manipulation. Additionally, implementing regular system restart schedules can serve as a temporary workaround to clear accumulated memory leaks, though this approach does not address the root cause. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1490 which covers resource exhaustion attacks, demonstrating how memory leaks can be leveraged for denial of service purposes and highlighting the importance of proper memory management practices in operating system design.