CVE-2005-3168 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The SECEDIT command on Microsoft Windows 2000 before Update Rollup 1 for SP4, when using a security template to set Access Control Lists (ACLs) on folders, does not apply ACLs on folders that are listed after a long folder entry, which could result in less secure permissions than specified by the template.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3168 represents a critical flaw in the Windows 2000 security configuration management system that directly impacts access control implementation. This issue specifically affects the SECEDIT command functionality when processing security templates that define Access Control Lists for folder permissions. The vulnerability stems from an improper handling mechanism within the security template application process where ACLs fail to be correctly applied to subsequent folder entries when a long folder path is encountered in the template structure.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the parsing and application logic of the SECEDIT utility which processes security templates containing multiple folder entries. When the command encounters a folder entry with an exceptionally long path, it appears to truncate or misinterpret the subsequent folder entries in the template, leading to incomplete ACL application. This behavior creates a scenario where only the first folder entry or entries up to the long path entry receive proper security settings while all following folders are left with default or potentially less secure permissions. The flaw operates at the level of template processing rather than the core operating system security model, making it particularly insidious as it can silently compromise security configurations without explicit error indication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple permission misconfiguration to potentially create significant security risks within Windows 2000 environments. Organizations relying on security templates to enforce standardized access controls may unknowingly leave critical folders unprotected, as the template application process fails to properly secure all designated locations. Attackers could exploit this weakness by targeting folders that were not properly secured due to the template processing error, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or system resources. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where security templates are used to automate compliance with security policies, as the automated process fails to deliver the intended security posture.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-254 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which describes "Security Features that are Not Implemented or Configured Correctly" and specifically addresses issues related to improper access control implementation. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers "Valid Accounts" and represents a potential pathway for adversaries to exploit weak access controls. Organizations implementing security templates for Windows 2000 systems should recognize that this vulnerability could be exploited through lateral movement or privilege escalation attempts, particularly when attackers identify folders that were not properly secured due to the template processing failure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3168 require immediate implementation of Update Rollup 1 for Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, which addresses the underlying parsing issue in the SECEDIT command. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive audits of their security template configurations to identify any folders that may have been improperly secured due to this vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include implementing manual verification processes for critical folder permissions, utilizing alternative security configuration tools, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts to folders that may have been left with insufficient protection. Security teams should also consider implementing regular configuration validation checks to ensure that security templates are properly applied across all targeted folder structures, particularly avoiding long path entries in templates where possible.