CVE-2001-0396 in Consoleserver
Summary
by MITRE
The pre-login mode in the System Administrator interface of Lightwave ConsoleServer 3200 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information such as system status, configuration, and users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0396 resides within the Lightwave ConsoleServer 3200 system's pre-login mode functionality within its System Administrator interface. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows unauthorized remote attackers to access sensitive system information without requiring authentication credentials. The vulnerability specifically affects the pre-login phase of the system's authentication process, where normally restricted access controls should be enforced to prevent information disclosure. The affected system operates as a console server that manages network access to remote devices, making it a critical component in network infrastructure security. The Lightwave ConsoleServer 3200 serves as a bridge between network administrators and remote systems, providing console access capabilities that are essential for device management and monitoring operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the pre-login interface. During the initial connection phase before proper authentication occurs, the system fails to properly restrict access to sensitive information that should only be available to authenticated administrators. This flaw enables attackers to gather system status information, configuration details, and user data through unauthenticated network connections. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which addresses improper output neutralization for logs, and CWE-306, which covers missing authentication. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates over network protocols that are commonly used for legitimate administrative access, making the exploitation less detectable by standard network monitoring systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can gain comprehensive knowledge of the target system's configuration, which can then be leveraged for subsequent attacks. The exposure of system status information provides insights into operational conditions, while access to user data can reveal administrative access patterns and potential targets for credential theft. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the system's security model, as it allows unauthorized parties to gather intelligence that should remain restricted to authorized personnel. The affected environment typically includes network infrastructure devices that require console access for management purposes, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise network environments where multiple devices are managed through a single console server.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access control mechanisms during the pre-login phase of system authentication. Organizations should ensure that all pre-login interfaces enforce strict access restrictions and do not expose sensitive information to unauthenticated users. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to the console server's administrative interfaces to authorized network segments only. The implementation of secure network protocols and proper authentication mechanisms before information disclosure should be enforced. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network infrastructure components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1087.001 for account discovery and T1007 for system service discovery, as attackers can use the exposed information to map the target environment and identify potential attack vectors. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual access patterns to administrative interfaces, as this vulnerability could be exploited as part of broader reconnaissance activities.