Vulnerability Note VU#107280

Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) executes code as Local System

Overview

The Windows 2000 Network DDE agent permits local users to execute commands with system privileges.

I. Description

Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) is an interprocess communication mechanism used in Microsoft Windows. A DDE share is an area of memory which is used to store and retrieve data. Network DDE is used between process on two different computers that wish to communicate using DDE. The service that manages this network communication is called the Network DDE Agent. When a share is marked by its creator as a truted share, it can be used by the Network DDE Agent.

When a trusted share is accessed by a local user, part of the request can include an application that will be invoked by the Network DDE Agent. Under Windows 2000, this application will run with Local System privileges. Since any local user can created trusted shares, it is possible for an intruder who already has access to the system to leverage this vulnerability to execute an arbitrary program with Local System privileges. For more information, see Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-007. Additionally, see the bulletin provided by @Stake on this issue.

II. Impact

Local users can execute arbitrary commands with system privileges.

III. Solution

Apply a patch as described in MS01-007.

Systems Affected

Vendor	Status	Date Updated
Microsoft Corporation	Vulnerable	13-Jul-2002

References

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-007.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq01-007.asp
http://www.atstake.com/research/advisories/2001/a020501-1.txt
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/2341
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/ipc/netdde_3mcl.asp

Credit

Thanks to Microsoft and @Stake for the information provided in their bulletins.

This document was written by Shawn V Hernan based on information provided by Microsoft and @Stake.

Other Information

Date Public	02/05/2001
Date First Published	07/13/2002 07:58:54 PM
Date Last Updated	07/13/2002
CERT Advisory
CVE Name	CAN-2001-0015
Metric	25.73
Document Revision	11

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