CVE-2002-1084 in ezContents
Summary
by MITRE
The VerifyLogin function in ezContents 1.41 and earlier does not properly halt program execution if a user fails to log in properly, which allows remote attackers to modify and view restricted information via HTTP POST requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1084 resides within the ezContents content management system version 1.41 and earlier, specifically within the VerifyLogin function implementation. This flaw represents a critical authentication bypass vulnerability that fundamentally undermines the security model of the application. The issue stems from improper error handling and program flow control during the authentication process, where the system fails to terminate execution when login validation fails. This design flaw creates a pathway for unauthorized access that directly violates fundamental security principles of access control and authentication mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within authentication mechanisms, and CWE-305, which covers authentication bypass through improper handling of failed authentication attempts. When an attacker submits malformed or unauthorized HTTP POST requests to the system, the VerifyLogin function does not adequately validate the authentication state or terminate the execution flow appropriately. This allows malicious actors to bypass the intended access controls and gain unauthorized access to restricted information and functionality within the ezContents application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables full unauthorized access to protected content management features. Attackers can leverage this weakness to modify content, access restricted administrative functions, and potentially compromise the entire content management infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in web-based environments where the application is exposed to external networks. This vulnerability essentially renders the authentication system ineffective, allowing unauthorized users to perform actions they should not be permitted to execute.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including updating to ezContents versions that address this authentication bypass flaw, implementing proper input validation and authentication state management, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious POST request patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper error handling and program flow control in security-critical functions, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access techniques. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities and ensure proper implementation of access control mechanisms that prevent unauthorized execution paths during failed authentication scenarios.