Title: Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 / 2000 Unspecified Executable Path Vulnerability
Severity: MODERATE
Description:
When executables and DLL files are not preceded by a path in the registry (eg. explorer.exe does not have a fixed path by default), Windows NT 4.0 / 2000 will search for the file in the following locations in this order:
1) The directory from which the application loaded.
2) The current directory of the parent process
3) ...\System32
4) ...\\System
5) The Windows directory
6) The directories specified in the PATH environment variable
This may open up the possibility of automatic execution of trojans if they are renamed as executables that do not have a path specified. If we use the example of explorer.exe, a trojan named as such could be written to the root directory. Whenever a user logs onto the system, the trojan would be opened automatically.
Remote exploitation is feasible if the root directory is accessible through a share or if a malicious user were to implant the trojan onto the root directory through other means.
Affected Products:
- Avaya DefinityOne Media Servers
- Avaya IP600 Media Servers
- Avaya S3400 Message Application Server
- Avaya S8100 Media Servers
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP1
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP2
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP3
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP4
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP5
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6a
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP1
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP2
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a
- Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP1
- Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP2
- Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP3
- Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP4
- Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP5
- Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP6
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP1
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP2
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP3
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP5
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a
References:
- Microsoft: Frequently Asked Questions: Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS00-052)
- Microsoft: Q269049: Registry-Invoked Programs Use Standard Search Path
- Quimeras: Executable path searching vulnerability in Windows NT/2000
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