CVE-2000-0762 in eTrust Access Control
Summary
by MITRE
The default installation of eTrust Access Control (formerly SeOS) uses a default encryption key, which allows remote attackers to spoof the eTrust administrator and gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0762 represents a critical security flaw in the default configuration of eTrust Access Control software, formerly known as SeOS. This system was designed to provide access control and security management capabilities for enterprise environments, but the implementation contained a fundamental weakness that compromised its entire security posture. The vulnerability stems from the software's default installation practices, where a hardcoded encryption key is embedded within the system configuration. This default key serves as a critical security mechanism that should have been unique to each installation but was instead shared across all default deployments, creating a universal backdoor that attackers could exploit.
The technical flaw manifests in the cryptographic implementation where the software relies on a static encryption key for authentication and privilege management processes. When eTrust Access Control is installed with default settings, it automatically uses this predetermined key for encrypting communications and authenticating administrative operations. This design violates fundamental security principles by creating a predictable authentication mechanism that adversaries can easily discover and leverage. The vulnerability specifically affects the privilege escalation capabilities within the system, allowing remote attackers to impersonate legitimate administrators and execute privileged operations without proper authentication. This represents a classic case of weak cryptographic key management and improper default configuration practices that undermine the security model of the entire access control system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk landscape for organizations deploying eTrust Access Control. Remote attackers who discover the default encryption key can effectively bypass the entire access control mechanism and assume administrator privileges across the protected systems. The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data breaches, system compromise, and complete loss of administrative control over the protected environment. Organizations using this software without proper configuration changes become immediately vulnerable to exploitation upon network exposure, as the attack surface is not limited to internal networks but extends to any remote attacker with knowledge of the default key. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise security infrastructure where access control systems are critical for maintaining operational security and protecting sensitive information assets.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and improper key management practices. Additionally, this issue demonstrates characteristics of ATT&CK technique T1566, where adversaries exploit default credentials and weak configurations to gain initial access to target systems. Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including changing the default encryption key to a strong, randomly generated value, conducting comprehensive security audits of all default configurations, and establishing proper key management procedures. The recommended mitigation strategy involves configuring unique encryption keys for each installation, implementing regular security assessments, and ensuring that all default credentials and configuration settings are changed before placing systems into production environments. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper security hardening practices and demonstrates how default configurations can create catastrophic security weaknesses when not properly addressed during deployment and maintenance phases.