CVE-2005-0852 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Windows XP SP1 allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) via an empty datagram to a raw IP over IP socket (IP protocol 4), as originally demonstrated using code in Python 2.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0852 represents a critical denial of service flaw in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 that exploits a weakness in the handling of raw IP sockets. This vulnerability specifically targets the IP protocol 4 implementation within the Windows networking stack, where the system fails to properly validate incoming datagrams when they are empty or contain minimal data. The flaw occurs within the raw socket processing mechanism that allows applications to send and receive IP packets at the network layer without the assistance of transport layer protocols like TCP or UDP. When an empty datagram is transmitted to a raw IP over IP socket, the Windows kernel does not adequately handle the malformed packet, leading to system instability and potential complete system crash.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the Windows kernel's network processing components. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-248, which deals with exposure of an uninitialized variable. The vulnerability manifests when the operating system attempts to process an empty datagram through a raw IP socket, causing the kernel to access memory locations that have not been properly initialized or validated. This particular flaw leverages the raw socket functionality that provides direct access to IP layer protocols, bypassing normal transport layer protections and validation mechanisms that would typically prevent such malformed packets from causing system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0852 is significant for Windows XP systems running Service Pack 1, as it provides local attackers with a straightforward method to induce system crashes without requiring elevated privileges. The vulnerability can be exploited through simple Python code that sends empty datagrams to raw IP sockets, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. This denial of service condition affects the availability of network services and can potentially disrupt business operations, particularly in environments where Windows XP systems are critical to network operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no network connectivity to the target system, as the exploit can be executed locally, and the resulting system crash can be persistent enough to require manual intervention or system restart.
From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the T1499.004 technique related to network denial of service, and represents a form of system resource exhaustion that can be achieved through malformed packet injection. The vulnerability also connects to T1068 which covers local privilege escalation opportunities, though in this case the attack is limited to denial of service rather than privilege escalation. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper network segmentation, disabling unnecessary raw socket functionality where possible, and applying the appropriate Microsoft security patches that address the underlying kernel vulnerability. System administrators should consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual patterns of raw IP traffic and ensure that Windows XP systems are updated with the latest security patches, as Microsoft released specific updates to address this vulnerability in their regular security bulletin cycle. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation in kernel-level network processing components and serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust security practices in operating system design and implementation.