• Article

Security Bulletin

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS00-020 - Critical

Patch Available for "Desktop Separation" Vulnerability

Published: June 15, 2000

Version: 1.0

Originally Posted: June 15, 2000

Summary

Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a security vulnerability in Microsoft® Windows® 2000. The vulnerability could allow a malicious user to gain additional privileges on a machine that he could log onto at the keyboard.

Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability can be found at https://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq00-020.mspx.

General Information

Issue

In the Windows 2000 security model, a hierarchy of container objects is used to separate processes. Every session contains one or more windows stations; every windows station contains one or more desktops. By design, processes are constrained to run within a windows station, and the threads in the process run in one or more desktops. A process in one windows station should not be able to access desktops belonging to another windows station. However, due to an implementation error, this could happen under very specific circumstances. This could allow a process belonging to a low-privilege user to view inputs or output that belong to another desktop within the same session, and potentially obtain information such as passwords.

The vulnerability only affects desktops within the same session. As a result, a malicious user could only interfere with processes on the same local machine, and only if he could interactively log onto it. Security best practices strongly militate against allowing normal users to interactively log onto security-sensitive servers, and if this practice has been followed, machines such as domain controllers, print and file servers, ERP servers, database servers, and others would not be at risk. In addition, other security best practices, if followed, would prevent a malicious user from launching the processes in a way that allows them to exploit this vulnerability. Windows 2000 Terminal Servers are not affected by this vulnerability, because every user runs in his own session.

Affected Software Versions

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server

Vulnerability Identifier: CVE-2000-0475

Patch Availability

More Information

Please see the following references for more information related to this issue.

  • Microsoft Security Bulletin MS00-020: Frequently Asked Questions
  • Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article 260197, Interactive Logon may Allow Desktop Process Privilege Elevation
  • Microsoft TechNet Security web site.

Obtaining Support on this Issue

This is a fully supported patch. Information on contacting Microsoft Technical Support is available at https:

Revisions

  • June 15, 2000: Bulletin Created.

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Built at 2014-04-18T13:49:36Z-07:00 </https:>