CVE-2001-0791 in Interscan Viruswall
Summary
by MITRE
Trend Micro InterScan VirusWall for Windows NT allows remote attackers to make configuration changes by directly calling certain CGI programs, which do not restrict access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0791 represents a critical security flaw in Trend Micro InterScan VirusWall for Windows NT, a network security appliance designed to protect against malware and unauthorized access. This issue stems from improper access control mechanisms within the web-based administrative interface of the security appliance. The vulnerability specifically affects the configuration management capabilities of the system, allowing unauthorized remote actors to directly interact with CGI programs that handle administrative functions without proper authentication or authorization checks. This fundamental flaw in the security architecture creates a significant attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise the entire security infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the web server component of InterScan VirusWall, where CGI scripts are exposed to remote users without adequate access restrictions. When legitimate administrative functions are exposed through web interfaces, proper authentication mechanisms should be enforced to ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive configuration options. However, in this case, the CGI programs that manage system settings and configuration parameters do not implement proper access controls, allowing any remote user to directly call these scripts and modify system behavior. This design flaw falls under the category of inadequate access control as defined by CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control vulnerabilities in software systems. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate security policies, change network configurations, and potentially disable security features, fundamentally undermining the purpose of the security appliance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it represents a complete breakdown in the security model of the InterScan VirusWall appliance. An attacker who can directly call these CGI programs can potentially alter firewall rules, modify antivirus definitions, change network scanning parameters, and compromise the overall security posture of the protected network. This vulnerability directly conflicts with the principle of least privilege, where only authorized administrators should have the ability to modify system configurations. The consequences of such an attack could include complete network compromise, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent backdoors through configuration changes that bypass normal security controls. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as attackers could leverage compromised accounts or exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to system configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0791 should focus on implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms within the web interface of the security appliance. Organizations should immediately apply available patches from Trend Micro to address the access control flaws in the CGI programs. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate the security appliance from general network traffic, reducing the attack surface available to remote attackers. Additionally, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication, and restricting access to administrative interfaces through firewalls and access control lists can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Regular security audits should be conducted to ensure that all web-accessible administrative functions properly enforce access controls, and network monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts to these critical system components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper access control implementation in security appliances and the potential catastrophic consequences when such controls fail.