MS99-057: Index Server Search Function Contains Unchecked Buffer

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View products that this article applies to.

This article was previously published under Q294472

SYMPTOMS

Index Server 2.0 has an unchecked buffer in a function that processes search requests. If an overly long value is provided for a particular search parameter, it overruns the buffer. If the buffer is overrun with random data, it causes Index Service to fail. If it is overrun with carefully selected data, code of the attacker's choice can be made to run on the server in the Local System security context.

Mitigating Factors:

To exploit the vulnerability, the attacker must be able to authenticate to the server and to create a named pipe connection to it (which requires access to NetBIOS, which should be blocked at the firewall). As a result, it is likely that this vulnerability can, in a properly configured network, only be exploited by an intranet user.
Index Server 2.0 installs by default as part of the Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Option Pack, but it does not run by default.
Indexing Services in Microsoft Windows 2000 is not affected by this vulnerability.

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RESOLUTION

Windows NT 4.0

To resolve this problem, obtain the individual package referenced below or obtain the Windows NT 4.0 Security Rollup Package. For additional information on the SRP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

299444 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299444/EN-US/ ) Post-Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a Security Rollup Package (SRP)

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Collapse this imageExpand this image

Download Q294472i.exe now (http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/nts/downloads/critical/q294472/default.asp)

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/119591/EN-US/ ) How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file. The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

   Date        Time    Version     Size     File name
   --------------------------------------------------
   04/10/2001  06:19p  5.0.1781.3  870,672  Query.dll

NOTE: Due to file dependencies, this hotfix requires Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4 or later.

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Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition

To resolve this problem, obtain the Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition, Security Rollup Package (SRP). For additional information about the SRP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

317636 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/317636/EN-US/ ) Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition, Security Rollup Package

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Index Server 2.0.

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MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vulnerability, see the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-025.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-025.mspx)

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APPLIES TO

Microsoft Index Server 2.0

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kbbug kbfix kbgraphxlinkcritical kbsecurity KB294472

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Retired KB Content Disclaimer

This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.

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