CVE-2002-0736 in BackOffice
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft BackOffice 4.0 and 4.5, when configured to be accessible by other systems, allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and access the administrative ASP pages via an HTTP request with an authorization type (auth_type) that is not blank.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0736 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Microsoft BackOffice 4.0 and 4.5 systems. This issue stems from improper handling of authorization types in the web server configuration, specifically affecting the administrative ASP pages that are accessible over the network. The flaw exists in the way the system processes HTTP requests containing authorization headers, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a weakness in the authentication mechanism where the system fails to properly validate the auth_type parameter in HTTP requests. When a remote attacker sends an HTTP request with an authorization type that is not blank, the system incorrectly processes this request and grants access to administrative ASP pages without proper authentication. This occurs because the authentication validation logic does not adequately check the legitimacy of the authorization type or enforce proper credential verification before granting administrative access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using Microsoft BackOffice 4.0 and 4.5 systems. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized administrative access to web applications, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as administrators could modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or install malicious software. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where BackOffice components are exposed to external networks, making them prime targets for exploitation.
The security implications of CVE-2002-0736 align with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication vulnerabilities, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for spearphishing with a malicious attachment. Organizations implementing Microsoft BackOffice solutions should immediately implement mitigations including disabling unnecessary administrative ASP pages, implementing proper network segmentation, and applying available security patches. Additionally, configuring proper access controls and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanism design in web applications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and regular vulnerability assessments to prevent similar issues in modern systems.