CVE-2006-1184 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) for Windows NT 4.0, 2000 SP4, XP SP1 and SP2, and Server 2003 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a BuildContextW request with a large (1) UuidString or (2) GuidIn of a certain length, which causes an out-of-range memory access, aka the MSDTC Denial of Service Vulnerability. NOTE: this is a variant of CVE-2005-2119.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2025
The Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1184 represents a critical denial of service flaw that specifically targets the transaction coordination services in various Windows operating systems including Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows XP Service Pack 1 and 2, and Windows Server 2003. This vulnerability operates at the core of distributed transaction management, where MSDTC facilitates coordination of transactions across multiple resource managers and databases. The flaw manifests when the system receives a BuildContextW request containing malformed UuidString or GuidIn parameters that exceed predetermined length limits, creating a scenario where the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated boundaries.
The technical execution of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the MSDTC service implementation. When processing the BuildContextW request, the system fails to properly validate the length of the UuidString or GuidIn parameters, allowing attackers to submit oversized data structures that trigger memory access violations. This results in out-of-range memory access conditions that cause the MSDTC service to crash and terminate unexpectedly. The vulnerability operates at the system level and requires no authentication or privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely through network-based attacks targeting the MSDTC service ports. The flaw is categorized under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks, where adversaries leverage system-level vulnerabilities to disrupt services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as MSDTC is integral to many enterprise applications that rely on distributed transaction processing. When the MSDTC service crashes, it affects all applications that depend on transaction coordination, potentially causing cascading failures throughout enterprise systems. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the denial of service from external networks without requiring local access, making it a significant threat in enterprise environments where MSDTC services are exposed to untrusted networks. Organizations running affected Windows versions face potential business disruption as the service crash can take down critical transactional applications and databases that depend on distributed transaction coordination. This vulnerability exemplifies the risks associated with legacy system components that may not receive adequate security updates or patches, particularly in environments where older operating systems continue to operate.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-1184 should focus on immediate patch deployment for all affected Windows systems, as Microsoft released security updates specifically addressing this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to MSDTC ports, typically TCP ports 135 and 1024-5000, preventing unauthorized remote exploitation. System administrators should also consider disabling the MSDTC service entirely if it is not required for business operations, as this eliminates the attack surface. Additionally, monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual patterns of MSDTC service restarts or crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the risks associated with running unsupported operating systems where security vulnerabilities may remain unpatched for extended periods. Organizations should also implement network intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious BuildContextW requests or unusual MSDTC service behavior, providing early warning of potential exploitation attempts.