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Vulnerability record · CVE-2000-0098 · published 26 January 2000

CVE-2000-0098: Microsoft Index Server path disclosure via missing Internet Data Query file

Microsoft · Index Server

Microsoft Index Server discloses the real filesystem path of a web directory when a request is made for an Internet Data Query (.idq) file that does not exist. The leaked path information is useful for reconnaissance and can help an attacker map the server's directory layout before further attacks. The record is thin: no affected version list is provided and the description gives no technical detail beyond the path disclosure behavior.

5.0 CVSS 2.0 Medium EPSS 49% · top 1.2%
5.0CVSS 2.0 base score
49%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
1Affected product versions listed by NVD
2References
16 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

Microsoft Index Server allows remote attackers to determine the real path for a web directory via a request to an Internet Data Query file that does not exist.

AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 20 September 2026. Confidence: medium.

medium priorityThe issue is remote and unauthenticated but only discloses path information, and no confirmed exploitation is documented.

What it is

Microsoft Index Server discloses the real filesystem path of a web directory when a request is made for an Internet Data Query (.idq) file that does not exist. The leaked path information is useful for reconnaissance and can help an attacker map the server's directory layout before further attacks. The record is thin: no affected version list is provided and the description gives no technical detail beyond the path disclosure behavior.

Impact

An attacker gains the real filesystem path of a web directory, which is information disclosure only, not code execution or data modification. That path knowledge can support follow-on attacks such as path traversal or targeted file access.

Attack surface

The flaw is reachable remotely over the network with no authentication and no user interaction, per the CVSS vector AV:N/AC:L/Au:N. It is triggered by an HTTP request for a nonexistent .idq file handled by Index Server.

Exploitation

No public exploit reference is included and the CVE is not listed in CISA KEV, so confirmed in-the-wild exploitation is not established. EPSS is high (0.48542, 98.8th percentile), indicating elevated predicted exploitation likelihood despite the lack of KEV status.

What to do

  • Apply the Microsoft security bulletin MS00-006 fix for Index Server, or upgrade to a supported Index Server release.
  • If Index Server is not required, disable or remove the service to eliminate the exposure.
  • Restrict network access to Index Server endpoints to trusted clients only.
  • Return generic error responses for missing .idq files so filesystem paths are not disclosed.

Detection

  • Monitor web logs for requests to .idq files that return 404 or error responses, especially repeated or unusual paths.
  • Alert on responses containing absolute Windows filesystem paths in error output from Index Server.
  • Baseline normal .idq request patterns and flag deviations from expected clients or paths.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.

Affected products

1 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2000/ms00-006
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2000/ms00-006

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Related vulnerabilities

Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

10.0CVE-2001-0500Microsoft IIS Index Server ISAPI idq.dll buffer overflowA buffer overflow in the ISAPI extension idq.dll, used by Index Server 2.0 and Indexing Service 2000 in IIS 6.0 beta and earlier, is triggered by a l…EPSS 97%analysed10.0CVE-1999-1011Microsoft MDAC RDS DataFactory unsafe methods allow remote command executionThe Remote Data Service (RDS) DataFactory component of Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC), as shipped with IIS 3.x and 4.x, exposes unsafe metho…EPSS 77%analysed7.5CVE-2001-0244Microsoft index server vulnerabilityBuffer overflow in Microsoft Index Server 2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a long search parameter.EPSS 15%7.5CVE-1999-1397Microsoft index server vulnerabilityIndex Server 2.0 on IIS 4.0 stores physical path information in the ContentIndex\Catalogs subkey of the AllowedPaths registry key, whose permissions …EPSS 12%5.0CVE-2001-0986Microsoft Index Server sample file SQLQHit.asp information disclosureThe SQLQHit.asp sample file shipped with Microsoft Index Server 2.0 exposes sensitive information when called directly with a CiScope parameter set t…EPSS 48%analysed5.0CVE-2001-0245Microsoft index server vulnerabilityMicrosoft Index Server 2.0 in Windows NT 4.0, and Indexing Service in Windows 2000, allows remote attackers to read server-side include files via a m…EPSS 14%5.0CVE-2000-0302Microsoft Index Server ASP source disclosure via null.htwMicrosoft Index Server can be tricked into returning the source code of ASP files instead of executing them by appending a %20 to the filename in the…EPSS 79%analysed5.0CVE-2000-0097Microsoft index server vulnerabilityThe WebHits ISAPI filter in Microsoft Index Server allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files, aka the "Malformed Hit-Highlighting Argument" vul…EPSS 36%

Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2000-0098), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-27). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.