CVE-2002-1830 in OpenBB
Summary
by MITRE
Open Bulletin Board (OpenBB) 1.0.0 RC3 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and access modifier options via a direct request to moderator.php with the action and ismod parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1830 resides within the Open Bulletin Board version 1.0.0 Release Candidate 3, a web-based discussion platform that was prevalent in the early 2000s. This authentication bypass flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the fundamental access control mechanisms designed to protect administrative functions within the bulletin board system. The vulnerability specifically affects the moderator.php script which serves as the interface for moderator-related operations and administrative controls. The flaw manifests when an attacker can directly access this script without proper authentication, thereby gaining unauthorized access to moderator options and potentially elevated privileges within the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and authentication checks within the OpenBB application. When the moderator.php script receives requests containing the action and ismod parameters, it fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses legitimate moderator credentials or authorization levels. This lack of proper authentication verification creates a direct pathway for malicious actors to bypass the normal login and authorization processes that should prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring any specialized tools or complex attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous due to its accessibility and ease of exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate the bulletin board's administrative functions and potentially compromise the entire system. Once authenticated as a moderator, an attacker could modify forum content, delete posts, ban users, or even escalate privileges to full administrator access depending on the system's configuration. This authentication bypass creates a persistent security risk that remains active as long as the vulnerable version of OpenBB remains deployed, allowing attackers to maintain access to the system and continue exploiting other potential vulnerabilities. The vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the CWE-287 category, which addresses authentication failures and improper authorization checks in software applications.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and credential access tactics, as it enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain elevated system access. The vulnerability's exploitation demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper input validation and access control measures, particularly in web applications where direct script access can be exploited. Organizations using vulnerable versions of OpenBB would face significant risks including data integrity compromise, user privacy violations, and potential system compromise that could serve as a foothold for further attacks within network environments. The vulnerability also highlights the need for regular security assessments and patch management processes to prevent such authentication bypass scenarios from persisting in production environments.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of security patches or updates from the software vendor to address the authentication bypass flaw in OpenBB 1.0.0 RC3. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as web application firewalls, input validation mechanisms, and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other applications. Organizations should consider migrating from unsupported software versions to more modern, secure alternatives that have proper authentication and authorization mechanisms in place. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software security practices and the potential consequences of running outdated applications with known security flaws.