CVE-2002-1521 in Web Server 4d
Summary
by MITRE
Web Server 4D (WS4D) 3.6 stores passwords in plaintext in the Ws4d.4DD file, which allows attackers to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1521 affects Web Server 4D version 3.6, a web server application that was widely used in the early 2000s for hosting web content and applications. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the application's authentication and access control mechanisms, as it demonstrates a fundamental failure in proper credential handling and storage practices. The vulnerability specifically targets the password storage methodology within the Ws4d.4DD file, which serves as the primary configuration database for the web server's user authentication system. This file contains user account information including usernames and associated passwords, making it a prime target for unauthorized access attempts by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's decision to store passwords in plaintext format rather than employing proper cryptographic hashing or encryption techniques. When users create accounts or modify their credentials within the WS4D 3.6 environment, the system writes these passwords directly into the Ws4d.4DD file without any form of obfuscation or security protection. This plaintext storage approach directly violates established security best practices and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege, where sensitive information should be protected through appropriate cryptographic measures. The flaw aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of plaintext credentials, and also corresponds to CWE-522, which deals with insufficiently protected credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for any organization utilizing WS4D 3.6. An attacker who gains access to the Ws4d.4DD file, either through direct file system access, network reconnaissance, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the system, can immediately extract all stored passwords and use them to authenticate as any user within the web server environment. This privilege escalation capability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to web applications, administrative interfaces, and potentially the underlying server infrastructure. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the compromised file remains accessible, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the web server is not properly secured or where file system permissions are inadequately configured. The attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1078, which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials, demonstrates how this vulnerability enables adversaries to leverage stolen credentials for further system compromise.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address the exposed credentials and prevent unauthorized access. The primary remediation involves upgrading to a newer version of the Web Server 4D software that properly implements cryptographic password storage mechanisms, such as SHA-256 or bcrypt hashing with salted values. System administrators must also conduct immediate credential rotation for all users whose passwords were stored in the compromised Ws4d.4DD file, ensuring that any previously stolen credentials become invalid. Additional mitigations include implementing strict file system access controls to prevent unauthorized read access to the Ws4d.4DD file, monitoring for suspicious file access patterns, and conducting comprehensive security audits to identify any other potential vulnerabilities in the web server configuration. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to the web server's configuration files and administrative interfaces. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following the principle of defense in depth, where multiple security controls work together to protect against various attack vectors and ensure that a single point of failure does not compromise the entire system. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication mechanisms such as two-factor authentication to provide extra protection layers even if credential theft occurs.