CVE-2000-0894 in SOHO Firewall
Summary
by MITRE
HTTP server on the WatchGuard SOHO firewall does not properly restrict access to administrative functions such as password resets or rebooting, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service or conduct unauthorized activities.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2019
The CVE-2000-0894 vulnerability affects the WatchGuard SOHO firewall's HTTP server implementation, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of small office/home office network environments. This vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication and authorization mechanisms within the web-based administrative interface, allowing unauthenticated attackers to exploit administrative functions that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The flaw specifically impacts the firewall's ability to properly validate user credentials and permissions when attempting to access sensitive administrative operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues in software systems. The HTTP server component fails to enforce proper authorization checks before allowing access to administrative functions, creating a path for malicious actors to bypass normal security controls. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform actions such as password resets, system reboots, and other administrative operations that fundamentally alter the firewall's configuration and operational state. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor pathway through the firewall's web interface that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network security and availability. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can cause deliberate denial of service by rebooting the firewall, disrupting network connectivity for the protected organization. Additionally, unauthorized password resets allow attackers to gain full administrative control over the firewall, potentially enabling them to modify firewall rules, disable security features, or redirect network traffic. This type of attack directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete network compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in small office environments where firewalls are often configured with default credentials and lack proper monitoring.
The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as attackers can leverage it to gain elevated privileges and subsequently disable security controls. Organizations using WatchGuard SOHO firewalls are particularly vulnerable since these devices are commonly deployed in environments with limited security expertise and monitoring capabilities. The impact extends beyond immediate service disruption to include potential data exfiltration, man-in-the-middle attacks, and complete network compromise. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms in network infrastructure devices.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from WatchGuard to address the access control flaw, implementing network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and deploying additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also enforce strong authentication practices, disable unnecessary administrative services, and conduct regular security assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust access control implementations in network security devices and the importance of timely security patch management across all infrastructure components.