CVE-2010-0820 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS), as used in Active Directory in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2 and Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2, and R2; Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) in Windows XP SP2 and SP3 and Windows Server 2003 SP2; and Active Directory Lightweight Directory Service (AD LDS) in Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2, and R2, and Windows 7, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via malformed LDAP messages, aka "LSASS Heap Overflow Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The CVE-2010-0820 vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) component of Microsoft's Active Directory implementations. This vulnerability specifically affects multiple Windows server and client operating systems including Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista SP2, and Windows 7. The flaw resides in how LSASS processes malformed LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) messages, which are commonly used for directory services communication within Active Directory environments. The vulnerability operates at the core of Windows authentication infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by authenticated attackers who can send specially crafted LDAP requests to the targeted system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the LSASS service when handling LDAP bind operations. When a malformed LDAP message is received, the service fails to properly bounds-check the incoming data before copying it into heap-allocated memory buffers. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical data structures or executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the LSASS process. The heap overflow occurs because the vulnerable code does not adequately validate the length of incoming LDAP data, particularly in the authentication context where user credentials are processed. This flaw aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to remote code execution in critical system components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching within enterprise network environments. Since LSASS runs with high privileges and handles all authentication requests, successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of the targeted system. An authenticated attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the affected server, potentially gaining access to sensitive user credentials, domain controller privileges, or other critical system resources. The vulnerability affects not only individual servers but can also impact entire Active Directory domains, as compromised domain controllers can be used to escalate privileges across the network. This makes it particularly attractive to attackers who may already have some level of network access or valid credentials, as the attack vector requires only authenticated access to the LDAP service. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Windows versions including legacy systems like Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista makes it a persistent threat that organizations must address through comprehensive patch management strategies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0820 should focus on immediate patch deployment and network-level protections. Microsoft released security update MS10-015 to address this vulnerability, which should be prioritized for installation across all affected systems. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit LDAP service exposure to only necessary systems and users. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting LDAP bind operations to authenticated users who require directory access for legitimate business purposes. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual LDAP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, specifically T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation). Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running outdated versions of Windows that may be susceptible to similar vulnerabilities in the Active Directory stack. Additionally, implementing network intrusion detection systems with signatures for known LDAP exploitation patterns can provide early warning of potential attacks targeting this specific vulnerability.