Microsoft SQL Server becomes unresponsive when large packet is sent to specific named pipe

Overview

A vulnerability in Microsoft SQL Server may allow a local attacker to cause a denial of service. An exploit for this vulnerability is publicly available.

Description

Microsoft describes SQL Server as, “a fully enterprise-class database product, providing core support for Extensible Markup Language (XML) and Internet queries.” A vulnerability exists a portion of code responsible for supporting SQL queries over a named pipe. Quoting from Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-031: “The vulnerability results because of a flaw in the way that SQL Server interprets a return code from a specific named pipes operation. When more data than expected is received, SQL misinterprets the valid return code as an error. When this occurs, the system stops responding.” The following products are affected:

* Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 
* Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE) 1.0 
* Microsoft SQL Server 2000 
* Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE 2000) 
* Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (Windows) 

For further technical details, please see the following documents:
* Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-031
* @stake Security Advisory a072303-2

Impact

A local attacker may be able to cause the SQL Server to become unresponsive, which may require the host to be rebooted to regain functionality.

---

Solution

Apply a patch.

---

Vendor Information

918652

Filter by status: All Affected Not Affected Unknown

Filter by content: __ Additional information available

__ Sort by: Status Alphabetical

Expand all

Javascript is disabled. Click here to view vendors.

Microsoft Corporation __ Affected

Updated: July 28, 2003

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-031.asp&gt;

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23918652 Feedback>).

CVSS Metrics

Group	Score	Vector
Base
Temporal
Environmental

References

• <http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-031.asp&gt;
• <http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-031.asp&gt;
• <http://www.atstake.com/research/advisories/2003/a072303-2.txt&gt;
• <http://www.microsoft.com/sql/evaluation/overview/default.asp&gt;
• <http://www.microsoft.com/sql/&gt;

Acknowledgements

This vulnerability was discovered by Andreas Junestam of @stake Inc.

This document was written by Ian A Finlay.

Other Information

CVE IDs:	CVE-2003-0231
Severity Metric:	12.49 Date Public: