CVE-2000-0802 in Personal Privacy
Summary
by MITRE
The BAIR program does not properly restrict access to the Internet Explorer Internet options menu, which allows local users to obtain access to the menu by modifying the registry key that starts BAIR.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0802 resides within the BAIR (Browser Access and Internet Restriction) program, a security mechanism designed to control internet access and restrict user interactions with internet explorer settings. This flaw represents a critical access control weakness that undermines the intended security posture of the system. The vulnerability specifically targets the Internet Explorer Internet options menu, which serves as a critical interface for configuring browser security settings, proxy configurations, and network access parameters. The BAIR program was presumably implemented to prevent unauthorized modifications to these sensitive browser settings, thereby maintaining organizational security policies and preventing potential exploitation of browser-based attack vectors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through registry key manipulation, which represents a fundamental flaw in the access control implementation. When local users modify specific registry keys that control the startup behavior of BAIR, they can bypass the intended access restrictions and gain unauthorized access to the Internet Explorer Internet options menu. This registry-based attack vector operates at the system level, leveraging the principle of least privilege violation where users with minimal privileges can escalate their access to administrative browser settings. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and registry key access control mechanisms, as the system fails to properly authenticate or authorize access attempts to the restricted menu interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to represent a significant security risk within enterprise environments. Local users who exploit this vulnerability can potentially modify critical browser security settings, including proxy configurations, security zone assignments, and internet access policies. This access could enable attackers to bypass corporate firewalls, redirect traffic through malicious proxies, or disable security features that protect against phishing attacks and malware downloads. The vulnerability creates an attack surface that allows for privilege escalation and persistent access, as users can modify browser settings to maintain access even after initial exploitation. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization controls that violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the security architecture.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a manifestation of CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and potentially CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path) when considering the registry modification aspect. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1112 (Modify Registry) and T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, demonstrating how registry manipulation can lead to broader system compromise. Organizations should implement comprehensive registry monitoring and access control policies to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical system keys. The recommended mitigations include implementing strict access controls on registry keys related to browser configuration, deploying registry auditing solutions, and ensuring that only authorized administrators can modify these critical system settings. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that the BAIR program functions as intended and that access restrictions remain effective against such registry-based exploitation techniques.