CVE-2005-0550 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP SP1 and SP2, and Windows Server 2003 allows local users to cause a denial of service (i.e., system crash) via a malformed request, aka "Object Management Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the Windows kernel object management subsystem that affects multiple versions of the windows operating system including windows 2000 windows xp service packs 1 and 2 and windows server 2003. the flaw occurs when the system processes malformed object management requests that exceed the allocated buffer space, creating a condition where arbitrary code execution or system instability can occur. from a cybersecurity perspective this vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-121 which specifically addresses stack buffer overflow conditions and represents a significant threat to system integrity and availability. the vulnerability operates at the kernel level where object management functions handle various system resources and inter-process communications, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by local users who have minimal privileges to cause system-wide disruptions.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation within the windows object manager component that handles kernel-level object creation and management operations. when a malformed request is processed the system fails to properly bounds-check the incoming data against the allocated buffer space, allowing the overflow to occur and potentially corrupt adjacent memory locations. this memory corruption can lead to unpredictable system behavior including immediate system crashes or more subtle instability that may manifest as system hangs or unexpected reboots. the attack vector specifically targets the object management subsystem where windows handles various kernel objects such as file handles registry keys and other system resources, making it a prime target for exploitation. according to the attack technique framework the vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy for privilege escalation and denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes as it represents a foundational weakness in the operating system's core object management capabilities. local users who can submit malformed requests can effectively cause system-wide denial of service conditions that may require manual intervention to resolve. the vulnerability's presence in multiple windows versions including the widely deployed windows 2000 and windows xp service packs indicates a persistent flaw that affects organizations across different deployment scenarios. from a security operations standpoint this vulnerability creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where local user access may be more prevalent than anticipated, potentially allowing attackers with minimal privileges to disrupt critical business operations. the vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete system instability requiring either manual system restarts or in severe cases may necessitate complete system reinstallation to restore normal operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application through microsoft security updates that address the buffer overflow in the object management subsystem. organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring to detect anomalous object management requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of local exploitation attempts by reducing the attack surface available to malicious users. system hardening measures including disabling unnecessary object management features and implementing strict access controls can further reduce the risk profile. from a compliance perspective this vulnerability would be classified as high severity under various security frameworks including nist cve and pci dss requirements for system patch management. organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns consistent with object management request exploitation and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing kernel-level buffer overflow exploits. the vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against foundational operating system flaws that can be exploited for denial of service and system compromise.