CVE-2000-0434 in Allmanage
Summary
by MITRE
The administrative password for the Allmanage web site administration software is stored in plaintext in a file which could be accessed by remote attackers.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0434 represents a critical security flaw in Allmanage web site administration software that directly compromises the confidentiality and integrity of administrative credentials. This issue stems from the software's improper handling of sensitive authentication data, where administrative passwords are stored in plaintext format within configuration files that are accessible to remote attackers. The vulnerability exposes a fundamental weakness in the software's security architecture, as it violates core principles of credential protection and access control that are essential for maintaining secure web applications.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates poor security practices in software development, specifically related to how sensitive data is stored and managed within the application's file system. When administrative passwords are stored in plaintext, they become immediately accessible to any attacker who can gain access to the file system or network resources where these configuration files reside. This vulnerability creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation attacks, as the attacker can obtain administrative credentials and subsequently gain full control over the web site administration functions. The flaw can be categorized under CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper storage of credentials in plaintext format.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to content manipulation, user account management, system configuration changes, and potential data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to web applications, modify website content, create backdoor accounts, or even use the administrative access to launch further attacks against the underlying infrastructure. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials usage, and T1566 which covers credential harvesting through various attack vectors including web application exploitation.
The security implications of CVE-2000-0434 highlight the critical importance of proper credential management practices in web application development. Organizations using affected software face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential compromise of their web infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates how simple oversights in security implementation can create substantial attack surface that can be exploited by even moderately skilled attackers. This flaw represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and proper access control implementation, as administrative credentials should never be stored in easily accessible formats without proper encryption or access controls. The vulnerability also underscores the need for regular security assessments and the importance of following secure coding practices that prevent the storage of sensitive information in plaintext formats within application configurations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including immediate patching of affected software versions, implementation of proper file system access controls, and encryption of credential storage mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that all administrative credentials are stored using strong encryption methods and that access to configuration files is restricted to authorized personnel only. The implementation of multi-factor authentication and regular credential rotation practices should also be considered as additional protective measures. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to configuration files, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.