CVE-2005-0738 in Exchange
Summary
by MITRE
Stack consumption vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 SP1 allows users to cause a denial of service (hang) by deleting or moving a folder with deeply nested subfolders, which causes Microsoft Exchange Information Store service (Store.exe) to hang as a result of a large number of recursive calls.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0738 represents a classic stack exhaustion issue affecting Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 SP1 systems. This flaw manifests when users perform folder deletion or movement operations on directories containing deeply nested subfolders, creating a scenario where the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service process known as Store.exe becomes unresponsive. The root cause stems from inadequate input validation and recursive processing logic within the information store component, which fails to properly handle excessive nesting depths during folder operations.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates through recursive function calls that consume stack memory resources without proper bounds checking. When a user attempts to delete or move a folder structure with numerous nested subfolders, the Exchange server processes each level recursively, leading to stack overflow conditions. The information store service becomes trapped in an infinite recursion loop or exhausts available stack space, resulting in complete service unresponsiveness. This behavior aligns with CWE-674, which categorizes "Uncontrolled Recursion" as a significant weakness in software design that can lead to denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it affects critical email infrastructure within enterprise environments. Organizations relying on Exchange Server 2003 SP1 face potential business disruption when legitimate user operations trigger the denial of service condition. The vulnerability can be exploited by both authorized users and malicious actors who understand the recursive nature of folder structures, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where folder management operations are common. The hanging state of Store.exe service prevents any further email processing, effectively rendering the email system unavailable until manual intervention occurs through service restarts.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and inadequate resource management within the Exchange Information Store service. The lack of stack depth limits and recursive call monitoring creates an exploitable condition that can be reliably triggered through normal user operations. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation, establishing maximum nesting depth limits for folder structures, and configuring appropriate stack allocation parameters. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual patterns of folder operations that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.
The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique known as "Cloud Compute Disruption," as it affects cloud-based email services and infrastructure. Additionally, it relates to T1566.001 "Phishing" through potential social engineering vectors that might exploit user confusion during service disruptions. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management programs to address this vulnerability, as Microsoft released specific updates to resolve the stack consumption issue in subsequent service packs. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper system hardening and defensive coding practices that prevent recursive operations from consuming excessive resources without proper safeguards.