CVE-2005-3177 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
chkdsk in microsoft windows 2000 before update rollup 1 for sp4 windows xp and windows server 2003 when running in fix mode does not properly handle security descriptors if the master file table contains a large number of files or if the descriptors do not satisfy certain ntfs conventions which could cause acls for some files to be reverted to less secure defaults or cause security descriptors to be removed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3177 represents a critical flaw in the Windows NTFS file system implementation that affects multiple operating systems including Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003. This issue specifically manifests during the chkdsk utility execution in fix mode, which is a routine system maintenance tool designed to check and repair file system inconsistencies. The flaw occurs when the utility processes the Master File Table (MFT) under specific conditions involving either an excessive number of files or non-conforming security descriptors, creating a significant security risk that could undermine the integrity of file system permissions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of security descriptors within the NTFS file system structure. When chkdsk runs in fix mode and encounters a large number of files or descriptors that do not conform to standard NTFS conventions, the utility fails to correctly process these security attributes. This malfunction results in Access Control Lists (ACLs) being reset to less permissive default values or complete removal of security descriptors from affected files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the file system level, affecting the fundamental security mechanisms that protect file access and permissions. This flaw essentially creates a backdoor where file security can be inadvertently weakened or completely stripped, leaving sensitive data potentially accessible to unauthorized users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access issues, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected systems. When security descriptors are reverted to default values or removed entirely, the system's ability to enforce proper access controls is severely diminished, potentially exposing confidential data to unauthorized access. The vulnerability affects systems running Windows 2000 before Update Rollup 1 for SP4, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003, representing a substantial portion of enterprise environments that were prevalent during this time period. This weakness creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors could exploit the weakened security descriptors to gain unauthorized access to protected resources, particularly in environments where file system security is critical for compliance requirements.
Security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting privileges to gain system access. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the appropriate Microsoft security updates, conducting thorough security audits of file system permissions, and implementing additional monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized changes to security descriptors. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date system patches and highlights the critical nature of file system security mechanisms in enterprise environments where data protection is paramount. System administrators should prioritize patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates that address this fundamental flaw in NTFS security descriptor handling during routine maintenance operations.