CVE-2002-1065 in Jana Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Thomas Hauck Jana Server 2.x through 2.2.1, and 1.4.6 and earlier, does not restrict the number of unsuccessful login attempts, which makes it easier for remote attackers to gain privileges via brute force username and password guessing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1065 affects Thomas Hauck Jana Server versions 1.x through 2.2.1 and 1.4.6 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that significantly weakens the authentication mechanism of the affected system. This issue falls under the category of insufficient authentication mechanisms, specifically addressing the lack of account lockout or rate limiting functionality that would normally protect against automated brute force attacks. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to systematically guess valid username and password combinations without facing any protective measures, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where such servers are accessible from external networks.
The technical flaw lies in the absence of any mechanism to track or limit failed authentication attempts, creating a pathway for attackers to perform unlimited login attempts against the server. This design oversight allows malicious actors to employ automated tools to rapidly cycle through common username and password combinations, dictionary attacks, or rainbow table lookups without encountering any blocking mechanisms. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-307, which describes inadequate account lockout mechanisms that fail to prevent brute force attacks. Without proper rate limiting or account lockout functionality, the server operates with minimal protection against credential stuffing and password guessing attacks, fundamentally undermining the security of the authentication system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with an easy method to compromise system access through automated means. Remote attackers can systematically work through potential credential combinations until they successfully authenticate, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, administrative privileges, or system control. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the Jana Server is deployed in production systems, as it could lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, or unauthorized modifications to server configurations. This weakness enables attackers to bypass normal security controls that would typically protect against such systematic attacks, making the system vulnerable to both automated and manual exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1065 should focus on implementing proper authentication controls that prevent brute force attacks through account lockout mechanisms or rate limiting. System administrators should upgrade to versions of Jana Server that include proper authentication controls and implement additional protective measures such as IP address filtering, intrusion detection systems, or firewall rules that limit access to authentication ports. The implementation of account lockout policies after a predetermined number of failed attempts, combined with temporary account lockout periods, would effectively prevent automated brute force attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and monitoring authentication logs for suspicious activity patterns that could indicate brute force attack attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper authentication security controls as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's credential access tactics, specifically targeting the use of brute force and credential dumping techniques that rely on weak authentication mechanisms.