CVE-2002-0310 in Webnews
Summary
by MITRE
Netwin WebNews 1.1k CGI program includes several default usernames and cleartext passwords that cannot be deleted by the administrator, which allows remote attackers to gain privileges via the username/password combinations (1) testweb/newstest, (2) alwn3845/imaptest, (3) alwi3845/wtest3452, or (4) testweb2/wtest4879.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0310 represents a critical security flaw in Netwin WebNews 1.1k CGI program that stems from poor credential management practices and hardcoded authentication mechanisms. This issue falls under the category of weak credential storage and default credential exposure, which are fundamental security misconfigurations that have persisted across numerous web applications and services. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it involves default credentials that cannot be removed or modified by system administrators, creating a persistent backdoor that remains accessible regardless of security updates or administrative actions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insecure credential storage where authentication credentials are embedded within the application code or configuration files in cleartext format. These default username and password combinations are hardcoded into the software and cannot be deleted or altered through normal administrative procedures, making them permanent access points for malicious actors. The specific credential pairs include testweb/newstest, alwn3845/imaptest, alwi3845/wtest3452, and testweb2/wtest4879, each representing a potential entry point that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access to the web news system. This flaw aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and CWE-259, which covers the use of hard-coded passwords.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations deploying Netwin WebNews 1.1k systems, as it provides multiple persistent access points for remote attackers without requiring any specialized knowledge of the system's configuration or security mechanisms. The ability to gain privileges through these default credentials means that attackers can potentially access sensitive information, modify content, or even escalate their privileges to administrative levels within the web news system. The fact that these credentials cannot be removed by administrators compounds the risk, as security measures that would typically address such issues become ineffective against this specific flaw.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as the presence of default credentials often indicates broader security deficiencies within the application's architecture and configuration management practices. This vulnerability can be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring any specialized tools or techniques, making it particularly dangerous for unpatched systems. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a privilege escalation technique through valid accounts, specifically mapping to T1078 which covers valid accounts as a means of gaining access to systems. The vulnerability also aligns with T1566 which covers credential harvesting through various attack vectors, as attackers can readily discover and exploit these hardcoded credentials without needing to perform complex reconnaissance or exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to address the hardcoded credentials issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive credential management policies that prevent the use of default or hardcoded credentials in any web applications. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a newer version of the Netwin WebNews software that addresses this specific flaw, as well as implementing strict access control measures and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough audits of all applications to identify similar hardcoded credential issues and establish proper credential rotation procedures. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-53, which emphasizes the need for secure credential management and the elimination of default accounts and passwords. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues across the organization's technology infrastructure.