CVE-2002-0776 in Hosting Controller
Summary
by MITRE
getuserdesc.asp in Hosting Controller 2002 allows remote attackers to change the passwords of arbitrary users and gain privileges by modifying the username parameter, as addressed by the "UpdateUser" hot fix.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0776 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Hosting Controller 2002's web interface. This issue resides in the getuserdesc.asp component which handles user description retrieval and modification functions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and authorization checks that allow remote attackers to manipulate the username parameter during password update operations. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and input sanitization, creating an avenue for unauthorized privilege escalation and account takeover.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insecure parameter handling where the application fails to properly validate user permissions before executing administrative functions. When an attacker crafts a malicious request with a modified username parameter, the system processes this input without sufficient verification of the requesting user's authorization level. This allows arbitrary users to perform password changes for any account within the system, effectively bypassing the normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests without requiring prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tenant hosting environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple password modification to encompass full privilege escalation capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain administrative access to user accounts, potentially leading to data theft, service disruption, or further lateral movement within the compromised hosting environment. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no initial credentials, making it accessible to anyone who can reach the targeted web application. This vulnerability affects hosting providers who rely on Hosting Controller 2002 for user management, potentially exposing thousands of accounts to unauthorized access. The flaw creates a persistent security risk that remains active until the vendor's hot fix is applied, leaving systems vulnerable to exploitation for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on immediate patch application as provided by the vendor's hot fix addressing the "UpdateUser" function. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to hosting controller interfaces and deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious parameter modifications. Input validation should be strengthened to ensure all user parameters undergo proper sanitization and authorization checks before processing. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 (Improper Authorization) and CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) categories, demonstrating how insufficient access controls combined with poor input handling creates severe security implications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and credential access phases, highlighting the need for robust application-level security controls and regular vulnerability assessment procedures to prevent similar issues in hosting environments.