Vulnerability Note VU#484891

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 contains stack buffer overflow in SQL Server Resolution Service

Overview

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 contains a remotely exploitable stack buffer overflow that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the SQL server.

I. Description

The SQL Server Resolution Service (SSRS) was introduced in Microsoft SQL Server 2000 to provide referral services for multiple server instances running on the same machine. The service listens for requests on UDP port 1434 and returns the IP address and port number of the SQL server instance that provides access to the requested database.

The SSRS contains a stack buffer overflow that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code by sending a crafted request to port 1434/udp. The code within such a request will be executed by the server host with the privileges of the SQL Server service account.

II. Impact

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the SQL service account. If the privileges of the service account are elevated via VU#796313, this vulnerability may result in compromise of the server host.

III. Solution

Apply a patch


This vulnerability was originally addressed by Microsoft in Security Bulletin MS02-039. In January 2003, Microsoft updated MS02-039 to recommend that customers apply the patch from Microsoft Security Bulletin MS02-061, which addresses additional vulnerabilities. For more information, please see


This vulnerability also affects any products that include the Microsoft Desktop Engine (MSDE) 2000. For more information, please see

Block port 1434/udp

As a workaround, system administrators can use a firewall to block port 1434/udp at an appropriate network border, thus preventing external attackers from exploiting this vulnerability.

Systems Affected

VendorStatusDate Updated
AffymetrixUnknown18-Mar-2003
Baltimore Technologies plcUnknown17-Mar-2003
BindView CorporationVulnerable20-Feb-2003
Blackboard Inc.Unknown11-Mar-2003
Cisco Systems Inc.Vulnerable27-Jan-2003
Computer AssociatesUnknown20-Feb-2003
Dell Computer CorporationUnknown20-Feb-2003
Elron SoftwareUnknown5-Mar-2003
Express Metrix LLCVulnerable6-Mar-2003
Fluke CorporationUnknown20-Feb-2003
GFI SoftwareUnknown20-Feb-2003
Hewlett-Packard CompanyVulnerable20-Feb-2003
IntelUnknown20-Feb-2003
Internet Security Systems Inc.Unknown20-Feb-2003
JournyxUnknown5-Mar-2003
KaseyaVulnerable26-Mar-2003
Komercni BankaUnknown5-Mar-2003
Lightspeed SystemsVulnerable5-Mar-2003
Meridian Project SystemsUnknown5-Mar-2003
Microsoft CorporationVulnerable25-Jul-2002
Netwiz Pty LtdNot Vulnerable13-Mar-2003
NexusUnknown5-Mar-2003
NIST Computer Security Resource CenterUnknown17-Mar-2003
Nortel NetworksNot Vulnerable6-Feb-2003
OkenaUnknown17-Mar-2003
OmtoolUnknown5-Mar-2003
Pharos SystemsUnknown11-Mar-2003
Power MeasurementUnknown6-Mar-2003
Research In Motion LimitedUnknown5-Mar-2003
Small Wonders SoftwareVulnerable4-Mar-2003
SurfControl plcUnknown7-Mar-2003
Tivoli SystemsUnknown20-Feb-2003
Trend MicroUnknown20-Feb-2003
Veritas SOFTWAREVulnerable20-May-2003
VigilanteVulnerable20-May-2003
Xerox CorporationVulnerable20-Feb-2003

References

CA-2003-04
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS02-039.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/MSDEapps.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/virus/alerts/slammer.asp
http://support.microsoft.com/support/misc/kblookup.asp?id=Q323875
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/maintain/security/sql2ksec.asp
http://www.nextgenss.com/advisories/mssql-udp.txt
http://www.nextgenss.com/vna/ms-sql.txt
http://online.securityfocus.com/bid/5311
http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-2003-04.html

Credit

The CERT/CC thanks Microsoft for the information provided in their advisory and NGSSoftware for their discovery and analysis of this vulnerability.

This document was written by Jeffrey P. Lanza.

Other Information

Date Public07/24/2002
Date First Published07/26/2002 01:19:29 PM
Date Last Updated03/26/2003
CERT AdvisoryCA-2002-22
CVE NameCAN-2002-0649
Metric43.28
Document Revision62

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