CVE-2005-2150 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 before URP1 for Windows 2000 SP4 does not properly prevent NULL sessions from accessing certain alternate named pipes, which allows remote attackers to (1) list Windows services via svcctl or (2) read eventlogs via eventlog.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2025
This vulnerability exists in Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 operating systems prior to the release of Update Rollup 1 for Windows 2000 Service Pack 4. The flaw represents a critical access control weakness that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to establish NULL sessions and subsequently access restricted system resources through alternate named pipes. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows service control manager and event logging mechanisms, creating unauthorized access pathways that bypass normal authentication requirements. This issue stems from insufficient validation of session credentials when accessing named pipes, particularly those used for system administration functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the Windows named pipe security model by leveraging NULL session connections to access administrative named pipes that should normally require authentication. Attackers can utilize the svcctl interface to enumerate running Windows services and the eventlog interface to read system event logs without providing valid credentials. This represents a classic privilege escalation vector through improper access control enforcement, where the system fails to properly validate session integrity before granting access to sensitive administrative resources. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the Windows security model's session management and resource access controls, allowing attackers to gain information disclosure and system enumeration capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with reconnaissance capabilities that can be used to plan further attacks. By enumerating Windows services, attackers can identify running applications and potential vulnerabilities in service implementations. Reading event logs allows threat actors to gather intelligence about system configurations, user activities, and potential security events that may have occurred. This information can be used to identify system weaknesses, understand network configurations, and plan more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability enables a range of malicious activities including system reconnaissance, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within a network environment where these systems exist.
The flaw aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically representing improper access control in Windows named pipe implementations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1087 Account Discovery and T1005 Data from Local System, where adversaries can enumerate system services and access event logs without authentication. The vulnerability also relates to T1562 Impair Defenses by potentially exposing system information that could be used to disable or bypass security mechanisms. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the appropriate update rollup patches, disabling unnecessary named pipes, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable systems. Additionally, monitoring for unauthorized NULL session establishment and implementing proper access control policies for named pipes can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts.