CVE-2002-0705 in Superscout Web Filter
Summary
by MITRE
The Web Reports Server for SurfControl SuperScout WebFilter stores the "scwebusers" username and password file in a web-accessible directory, which allows remote attackers to obtain valid usernames and crack the passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0705 represents a critical misconfiguration in the Web Reports Server component of SurfControl SuperScout WebFilter software. This flaw exposes sensitive authentication credentials through improper file placement within the web server's document root, creating an immediate and severe security risk for organizations relying on this web filtering solution. The vulnerability stems from the software's default configuration where the scwebusers file containing user authentication details is stored in a directory that is directly accessible via HTTP requests, effectively bypassing normal access controls that should protect authentication data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web server's directory structure configuration where the scwebusers file is placed in a web-accessible location rather than in a secure, non-web-accessible directory. This misconfiguration allows any remote attacker with knowledge of the web server's structure to directly request the password file through standard HTTP GET operations, bypassing the need for authentication or any other security mechanisms. The file contains username and password information in a format that can be easily parsed and subsequently targeted for password cracking attacks, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with both the usernames and password hashes or plaintext credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the web filtering solution. Organizations using SurfControl SuperScout WebFilter become immediately vulnerable to unauthorized access to their web filtering controls, potentially allowing attackers to bypass content restrictions, modify filtering policies, or gain administrative access to the web filtering infrastructure. The vulnerability also creates a pathway for privilege escalation attacks, as attackers who obtain valid credentials can use them to access other systems that may share the same authentication mechanisms, particularly in environments where single sign-on or shared authentication systems are implemented.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a clear example of improper access control and insecure configuration practices that align with CWE-275 permission issues and CWE-73 hardcoded paths. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through unauthorized access to network devices and T1078.002 for valid accounts obtained through exploitation of vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including moving the scwebusers file to a secure, non-web-accessible directory, implementing proper file permissions, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all web applications to ensure similar misconfigurations do not exist. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of access attempts to unusual file paths can help detect exploitation attempts and provide early warning of potential compromise.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of secure configuration management and the principle of least privilege in web application deployment. Organizations must ensure that authentication data and sensitive configuration files are never placed in web-accessible directories, and that proper access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized access to system-critical files. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate such misconfigurations before they can be exploited by malicious actors.