CVE-2000-0120 in Spectra
Summary
by MITRE
The Remote Access Service invoke.cfm template in Allaire Spectra 1.0 allows users to bypass authentication via the bAuthenticated parameter.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0120 resides within the Remote Access Service component of Allaire Spectra 1.0, specifically targeting the invoke.cfm template implementation. This flaw represents a critical authentication bypass vulnerability that undermines the fundamental security controls designed to protect remote access services. The issue manifests through improper parameter validation within the invoke.cfm template, where the bAuthenticated parameter can be manipulated by unauthorized users to gain system access without proper authentication credentials.
The technical mechanism underlying this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and parameter handling within the application's remote access framework. When users interact with the invoke.cfm template, the system fails to properly verify the authenticity of the bAuthenticated parameter, allowing malicious actors to set this parameter to true or equivalent values regardless of their actual authentication status. This represents a classic case of insecure parameter handling that violates fundamental security principles. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues, and specifically aligns with CWE-352, covering Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities where authentication bypass occurs through parameter manipulation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations utilizing Allaire Spectra 1.0, as it allows unauthorized access to remote services without proper authentication. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain administrative privileges, access sensitive data, or execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous in environments where security controls may be insufficient or where the application serves as a gateway to more critical systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most direct solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameter sanitization within the invoke.cfm template to ensure that the bAuthenticated parameter cannot be manipulated by unauthorized users. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms that do not rely solely on parameter manipulation. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on authentication and access control domains. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar parameter manipulation vulnerabilities, while system administrators should ensure that all applications are kept up to date with the latest security patches and that proper network segmentation is implemented to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of implementing proper logging and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts and parameter manipulation activities.