CVE-2002-0212 in Hosting Controller
Summary
by MITRE
The login for Hosting Controller 1.1 through 1.4.1 returns different error messages when a valid or invalid user is provided, which allows remote attackers to determine the existence of valid usernames and makes it easier to conduct a brute force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0212 affects Hosting Controller versions 1.1 through 1.4.1, presenting a significant security weakness in the authentication mechanism that undermines the system's ability to protect user credentials. This flaw operates at the application level and specifically targets the login functionality, creating a predictable information disclosure channel that directly impacts the system's security posture. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which deals with information exposure, and represents a classic case of improper error handling that reveals sensitive information to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's inconsistent response behavior during authentication attempts. When an attacker submits a login request, the system provides different error messages depending on whether the username exists in the system or not. This differential response allows an attacker to systematically determine valid usernames through a process of elimination, as the error messages serve as clear indicators of account existence. The flaw essentially creates a side-channel attack vector that bypasses traditional security controls and provides attackers with valuable intelligence for subsequent exploitation attempts.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly weakens the security of the hosting controller environment by enabling automated username enumeration attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness to build comprehensive lists of valid usernames, which then serve as the foundation for more sophisticated brute force attacks against the corresponding passwords. The vulnerability's presence makes it considerably easier for malicious actors to compromise user accounts, potentially leading to unauthorized access to hosting services, data breaches, and further escalation within the compromised environment. This weakness directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the system's user authentication mechanisms.
The security implications extend beyond simple credential compromise, as this vulnerability can facilitate broader attack vectors within the hosting infrastructure. Attackers who successfully enumerate valid usernames can then focus their brute force efforts on specific targets, dramatically reducing the time and computational resources required to achieve unauthorized access. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110, which covers credential access through brute force methods, and demonstrates how information disclosure can enable more sophisticated attack patterns. The flaw essentially provides attackers with a significant advantage in reconnaissance and attack planning phases.
Organizations using affected versions of Hosting Controller should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability. The most effective approach involves standardizing error messages regardless of whether a username exists in the system, ensuring that all authentication attempts return identical generic error responses. This approach eliminates the information leakage that enables username enumeration and significantly reduces the effectiveness of automated attack tools. Additionally, implementing account lockout mechanisms, rate limiting, and multi-factor authentication can provide additional layers of protection against brute force attacks that may still be attempted against valid accounts. The remediation strategy should also include monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns and implementing proper logging to detect potential exploitation attempts.