CVE-2002-0453 in Netpoint
Summary
by MITRE
The account lockout capability in Oblix NetPoint 5.2 and earlier only locks out users once for the specified lockout period, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct brute force password guessing by waiting until the lockout period ends, then guessing passwords without being locked out again.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0453 represents a critical weakness in the account lockout mechanism implementation within Oblix NetPoint 5.2 and earlier versions. This flaw fundamentally undermines the security controls designed to protect against unauthorized access through automated password guessing attacks. The vulnerability stems from a design limitation where the system only enforces a single lockout event per user account during the configured lockout period, rather than implementing a more robust mechanism that would prevent multiple failed authentication attempts throughout the lockout window.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability creates a predictable attack pattern that adversaries can exploit to conduct effective brute force attacks against user accounts. The implementation fails to maintain persistent state information about failed login attempts, allowing attackers to systematically cycle through password guesses during the lockout period. This behavior directly violates security best practices outlined in the OWASP Authentication Cheat Sheet and aligns with the weaknesses described in CWE-307, which addresses improper restriction of repeated authentication attempts. The system's inability to properly track and enforce account lockout policies creates a window of opportunity for attackers to repeatedly attempt password guesses without facing continuous account lockout consequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential compromise, as it enables attackers to conduct prolonged brute force campaigns against user accounts. Security professionals should recognize this as a significant risk factor that can lead to unauthorized system access, privilege escalation, and potential data breaches. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require advanced technical skills or specialized tools, making it particularly dangerous as it can be effectively leveraged by threat actors with minimal expertise. This weakness directly impacts the principle of least privilege and undermines the defense-in-depth strategy that organizations rely upon to protect their authentication systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to a patched version of Oblix NetPoint that properly implements account lockout mechanisms, configuring more stringent account lockout policies, and implementing additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication. The remediation strategy should also include monitoring for unusual authentication patterns and ensuring that account lockout mechanisms are properly configured to enforce multiple failed attempt restrictions throughout the lockout period. Security teams should reference the MITRE ATT&CK framework's credential access techniques, particularly those involving password spraying and brute force attacks, when assessing the threat landscape and implementing compensating controls to protect against this specific vulnerability.