CVE-2002-0715 in Squid
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in Squid before 2.4.STABLE6 related to proxy authentication credentials may allow remote web sites to obtain the user s proxy login and password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0715 affects Squid proxy server versions prior to 2.4.STABLE6, representing a critical security flaw in proxy authentication mechanisms. This issue stems from insufficient validation of proxy credentials when handling authentication requests, creating a potential avenue for malicious web sites to intercept and extract user proxy login credentials. The vulnerability specifically impacts the way Squid processes authentication information during proxy operations, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive user authentication data.
This technical flaw operates through a weakness in the proxy server's credential handling process, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize authentication tokens received from web clients. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and represents a classic case of credential exposure through improper authentication handling. When users access web resources through the vulnerable Squid proxy, their proxy login credentials become susceptible to interception by malicious actors who can craft specific requests to exploit this flaw.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0715 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to corporate networks and sensitive resources that rely on proxy authentication. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete network compromise when combined with other attack vectors. The threat landscape for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through phishing and social engineering methods, as attackers can leverage this flaw to obtain valid proxy credentials without user interaction.
Organizations utilizing affected Squid versions face significant risk of unauthorized network access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their infrastructure. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where proxy authentication is commonly used for network access control. Security professionals should consider implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous proxy authentication patterns and establish robust credential management practices. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to Squid version 2.4.STABLE6 or later, which includes proper authentication validation mechanisms and strengthened credential handling procedures. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation, monitor proxy server logs for suspicious authentication attempts, and educate users about the risks of accessing untrusted web content through proxy environments.