CVE-2001-0203 in Firebox II
Summary
by MITRE
Watchguard Firebox II firewall allows users with read-only access to gain read-write access, and administrative privileges, by accessing a file that contains hashed passphrases, and using the hashes during authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2019
The CVE-2001-0203 vulnerability affects Watchguard Firebox II firewall devices and represents a significant privilege escalation flaw that undermines the security model of the affected system. This vulnerability exploits a design weakness in the authentication mechanism where read-only users can potentially escalate their privileges to full administrative access. The flaw stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials and access control enforcement within the firewall's security architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exposure of hashed passphrases in accessible files within the firewall's file system. Attackers with read-only access can locate these hashed credentials and then utilize the hash values during the authentication process to gain elevated privileges. This represents a classic case of insufficient access control and credential exposure that violates fundamental security principles. The vulnerability demonstrates poor separation of privileges and inadequate protection of sensitive authentication data, allowing unauthorized privilege escalation through credential reuse.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for organizations relying on Watchguard Firebox II firewalls as their primary network security infrastructure. The ability to escalate from read-only to administrative privileges means that attackers can potentially gain complete control over the firewall configuration, network access policies, and monitoring capabilities. This could lead to complete network compromise, as the attacker would have unrestricted access to modify firewall rules, disable security features, and potentially establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized privilege escalation. It also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, where adversaries leverage legitimate credentials to gain access to systems with elevated privileges. This vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient credential protection and access control enforcement can create pathways for attackers to escalate their privileges within network security devices.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting file system access to authenticated users, implementing proper credential storage mechanisms with appropriate access controls, and regularly auditing access permissions on sensitive system files. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual authentication patterns and credential usage. The recommended approach includes updating to patched versions of the Watchguard Firebox II firmware, implementing stronger access controls for system files, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of all network security devices to identify similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should enforce principle of least privilege access controls and implement multi-factor authentication mechanisms to reduce the impact of credential exposure vulnerabilities.