CVE-2010-2550 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The SMB Server in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP1 and SP2, Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2, and R2, and Windows 7 does not properly validate fields in an SMB request, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted SMB packet, aka "SMB Pool Overflow Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2021
The CVE-2010-2550 vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Server Message Block protocol implementation of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically affects a wide range of Windows versions including XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP1 and SP2, Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2, and R2, as well as Windows 7. The flaw resides in the SMB server component that handles incoming network requests, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when more data is written to a buffer than it can hold, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a specially malformed SMB packet that triggers the buffer overflow condition within the SMB server implementation. When the vulnerable system processes this malformed packet, the overflow corrupts the stack memory, allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This memory corruption enables remote code execution with the privileges of the SMB service account, which typically runs with high system privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because SMB is a widely used protocol for file sharing and network communication, making the attack surface extensive across enterprise networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2550 extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially enable full network infiltration and lateral movement within affected environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to compromised systems, deploy additional malware, or use the compromised systems as launching points for attacks against other network resources. The vulnerability's remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access or prior authentication to exploit it, making it particularly attractive for automated attack campaigns. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1075 which describes the use of legitimate credentials and network protocols for persistence and lateral movement.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2550 should include immediate application of Microsoft security patches, which address the underlying buffer overflow condition in the SMB server implementation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit SMB traffic between trusted and untrusted networks, disable unnecessary SMB services where possible, and deploy network intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious SMB traffic patterns. Additional defensive measures include configuring firewalls to block SMB traffic at network boundaries, implementing network access control lists, and regularly monitoring system logs for unusual SMB server activity. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of timely patch management and network security monitoring as part of comprehensive cybersecurity defense strategies.