CVE-2006-1475 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Windows Firewall in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 does not produce application alerts when an application is executed using the NTFS Alternate Data Streams (ADS) filename:stream syntax, which might allow local users to launch a Trojan horse attack in which the victim does not obtain the alert that Windows Firewall would have produced for a non-ADS file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-1475 represents a significant security flaw in the Windows Firewall implementation within Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2. This issue stems from the firewall's inability to properly recognize and alert users about applications executed through NTFS Alternate Data Streams, a feature that allows multiple data streams to be associated with a single file. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows Firewall's application alerting mechanism, which is designed to notify users when applications attempt to establish network connections. When an application is executed using the ADS syntax filename:stream, the firewall fails to generate the expected alert, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the Windows Firewall's parsing logic for file execution paths. When an application is launched through the NTFS Alternate Data Streams mechanism, the firewall's detection system does not properly interpret the file path format, treating the ADS execution as a non-alertable event. This occurs because the firewall's application monitoring component does not account for the specific syntax used in ADS execution, which follows the pattern filename:stream where the stream name is appended to the filename. The firewall's alerting system is designed to monitor standard file execution paths but fails to recognize that the same application can be executed through alternative data streams, bypassing the normal security notification process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a dangerous situation for Windows XP SP2 users who may be subject to Trojan horse attacks without their knowledge. Attackers can exploit this weakness by embedding malicious executables within legitimate files using ADS, effectively hiding their activities from the Windows Firewall's security alerts. The impact is particularly concerning because users who rely on Windows Firewall notifications to make informed decisions about network connections may unknowingly allow malicious software to establish network connections. This vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security principle of user awareness and consent that Windows Firewall is designed to provide, as victims remain unaware of the network activity initiated by their system.
The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple bypass of firewall alerts and represent a broader concern about file execution integrity in Windows environments. This issue aligns with CWE-214, which addresses the improper handling of security-sensitive operations, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for execution through command and scripting interpreter. The vulnerability demonstrates how system-level features can be exploited to circumvent security controls, particularly when security implementations do not account for all possible execution methods. Organizations using Windows XP SP2 systems are particularly vulnerable because the operating system lacks modern security features that would prevent such bypasses, and the service pack's firewall implementation was not designed to handle the complexities of alternate data streams.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach to system security. Organizations should implement additional monitoring solutions that can detect unusual network activity patterns, as the Windows Firewall's alerting mechanism is compromised. System administrators should consider disabling the use of alternate data streams where possible, though this may not be feasible in all environments. The most effective mitigation involves deploying comprehensive endpoint protection solutions that can monitor for malicious activity regardless of how applications are executed. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of executing files from untrusted sources, as this vulnerability relies heavily on social engineering aspects where users unknowingly execute malicious code through seemingly legitimate files. Regular system audits and network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability, as the absence of firewall alerts makes traditional monitoring approaches less effective.