CVE-2001-1528 in Homebet
Summary
by MITRE
AmTote International homebet program returns different error messages when invalid account numbers and PIN codes are provided, which allows remote attackers to determine the existence of valid account numbers via a brute force attack.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1528 represents a classic information disclosure flaw within the AmTote International homebet program that fundamentally undermines the security of financial transactions. This issue stems from the application's inconsistent error handling mechanisms when processing user authentication attempts, specifically when dealing with account numbers and PIN codes. The program's design choice to return distinct error messages for different types of invalid input creates a predictable pattern that adversaries can exploit to determine the validity of account numbers through systematic testing.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of consistent error response handling that violates fundamental security principles for authentication systems. When users provide invalid account numbers, the system returns one type of error message while invalid PIN codes generate different responses, creating a side-channel attack vector. This behavior directly relates to CWE-209, which addresses the exposure of error messages that reveal system information. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform brute force attacks with significantly reduced computational overhead since they can quickly identify which account numbers exist versus those that do not. This information disclosure creates a critical weakness that transforms what would otherwise be a computationally expensive attack into a relatively straightforward enumeration process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account enumeration, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the authentication system and creates opportunities for further exploitation. Attackers can systematically test account numbers and PIN combinations, potentially leading to unauthorized access to financial accounts and fraudulent transactions. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the system's authentication mechanisms, as the error messages inadvertently provide attackers with information about the system's internal state and data structure. This weakness particularly impacts financial institutions and betting platforms where account security is paramount, as it creates a direct pathway for unauthorized access that bypasses traditional authentication controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing consistent error handling across all authentication attempts, ensuring that all invalid account number and PIN combinations return identical error messages to prevent information leakage. Organizations should adopt the principle of least information disclosure in error handling, aligning with security best practices from the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. The implementation of account lockout mechanisms, rate limiting, and monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns would provide additional layers of protection against brute force attacks. Security architects should also consider implementing cryptographic techniques such as time-constant comparisons for PIN validation to prevent timing attacks that could further exploit the information leakage. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other authentication mechanisms within the system, as this type of error handling inconsistency represents a common weakness in legacy applications that often lack proper security design considerations.