CVE-2010-0269 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The SMB client in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2, Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2, and R2, and Windows 7 does not properly allocate memory for SMB responses, which allows remote SMB servers and man-in-the-middle attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) SMBv1 or (2) SMBv2 response, aka "SMB Client Memory Allocation Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2021
The CVE-2010-0269 vulnerability represents a critical memory allocation flaw in Microsoft Windows SMB client implementations that affects a broad range of operating systems from Windows 2000 through Windows 7. This vulnerability resides in the Server Message Block protocol client component responsible for handling network file sharing communications. The flaw specifically manifests when the SMB client processes responses from remote servers, creating a condition where improperly managed memory allocation can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through both SMBv1 and SMBv2 protocols, expanding the attack surface significantly.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of memory allocation during SMB response processing, which creates potential buffer overflow conditions. When the SMB client receives a crafted response from a malicious server or an attacker positioned in a man-in-the-middle position, the client's memory management routines fail to properly validate the response size before allocation. This allows attackers to craft malicious SMB responses that, when processed by the vulnerable client, can overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-122, which specifically addresses improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer, and falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have historically plagued network protocols. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user account running the SMB client, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0269 extends far beyond simple exploitation, as it represents a fundamental weakness in Windows network security architecture that could be leveraged for widespread attacks. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where SMB traffic is common and often unencrypted. The vulnerability's ability to function through man-in-the-middle attacks means that even secure network environments can be compromised if attackers can intercept traffic between clients and servers. This weakness directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers protocol tunneling and network protocol manipulation. The vulnerability's presence in such a wide range of Windows versions from 2000 through Windows 7 meant that organizations could be vulnerable regardless of their patch status, creating a significant challenge for security teams managing legacy systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0269 require a multi-layered approach combining immediate patching with network-level controls and operational procedures. Microsoft released security update MS10-020 to address this vulnerability, which should be deployed immediately across all affected systems. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit SMB traffic exposure, disable SMBv1 protocol where possible, and enforce encrypted SMB connections using SMBv2 or SMBv3 protocols. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous SMB traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-125, which deals with out-of-bounds read conditions, emphasizes the need for robust input validation and memory management practices. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify crafted SMB responses designed to exploit this memory allocation flaw, as the vulnerability's exploitation often produces characteristic network traffic patterns that can be detected through proper monitoring.