CVE-2002-0428 in Firewall-1
Summary
by MITRE
Check Point FireWall-1 SecuRemote/SecuClient 4.0 and 4.1 allows clients to bypass the "authentication timeout" by modifying the to_expire or expire values in the client s users.C configuration file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0428 affects Check Point FireWall-1 SecuRemote/SecuClient versions 4.0 and 4.1, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security controls designed to manage user session timeouts. This issue stems from the improper handling of authentication expiration parameters within the client configuration files, specifically targeting the users.C file that governs user access and session management. The vulnerability resides in the configuration file manipulation mechanism that should enforce strict authentication timeout controls but instead allows unauthorized modification of timeout values.
The technical flaw manifests through the ability of malicious clients to directly edit the to_expire or expire fields within the users.C configuration file, effectively circumventing the built-in authentication timeout mechanisms. This configuration file contains critical timing parameters that determine when user sessions should expire and require re-authentication. When attackers modify these values, they can extend or eliminate session timeouts indefinitely, creating persistent unauthorized access to protected network resources. The vulnerability represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement, as the system fails to validate or enforce the integrity of these critical timeout parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass to encompass potential persistent access and privilege escalation scenarios. Once an attacker successfully modifies these timeout values, they can maintain unauthorized access to network resources for extended periods without requiring re-authentication, effectively rendering the authentication timeout mechanism ineffective. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Check Point FireWall-1 for network security, as it allows attackers to establish long-term presence within the network while evading detection mechanisms that typically monitor for suspicious authentication patterns or extended session durations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) categories, demonstrating how improper configuration file validation can lead to unauthorized access and privilege escalation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this issue maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as it enables persistent access through legitimate authentication mechanisms while potentially supporting initial compromise through social engineering or other attack vectors. The vulnerability also relates to T1021.001 (Remote Services: Remote Desktop Protocol) and T1021.002 (Remote Services: VNC) as it enables unauthorized access to remote network services through compromised client configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0428 require immediate implementation of configuration file integrity monitoring and access controls. Organizations should enforce strict file permissions on the users.C configuration files to prevent unauthorized modification, implement regular integrity checks using cryptographic hashes, and establish automated monitoring for unauthorized changes to authentication parameters. The recommended approach includes deploying file integrity monitoring solutions, implementing mandatory access controls, and ensuring that only authorized administrators can modify critical configuration files. Additionally, organizations should consider upgrading to patched versions of Check Point FireWall-1 SecuClient, as Check Point likely addressed this vulnerability in subsequent releases through enhanced configuration file validation and authentication timeout enforcement mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns can also help detect potential exploitation attempts of this vulnerability.