CVE-2002-1927 in File Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Aquonics File Manager 1.5 allows users with edit privileges to modify user accounts by editing the userlist.cgi file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1927 represents a critical access control flaw within the Aquonics File Manager version 1.5 system. This issue stems from inadequate authorization mechanisms that permit users with merely edit privileges to manipulate core user account information through direct file manipulation. The vulnerability specifically targets the userlist.cgi file which serves as the central repository for user account data within the application's user management system. When users possess edit permissions for the file system, they can directly modify the userlist.cgi file to add, remove, or alter user account details without proper authentication or authorization checks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues where systems fail to properly enforce access restrictions for protected resources. This flaw constitutes a privilege escalation vulnerability since it allows users with limited edit access to gain elevated privileges by directly manipulating the user management file. The vulnerability exists because the application does not implement proper input validation or access controls when users interact with the userlist.cgi file, relying instead on file system permissions rather than application-level security controls. The design flaw enables attackers to bypass normal user management interfaces and directly modify account information through file system manipulation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for organizations using Aquonics File Manager 1.5. An attacker with edit privileges could potentially create administrator accounts, modify existing user permissions, or disable accounts to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The impact extends beyond simple account modification since the userlist.cgi file often contains sensitive authentication data and access control information that directly affects system security posture. This vulnerability can be exploited through both local and remote access methods, depending on how the file system permissions are configured and whether the application allows external file modifications.
The attack vector for this vulnerability typically involves an authenticated user with edit privileges who has access to the file system or web application directory where the userlist.cgi file resides. Attackers can leverage this access to modify the file contents, potentially adding malicious user accounts with elevated privileges or altering existing account information to bypass authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through file system manipulation and credential access through modification of authentication information. Organizations should consider implementing proper access controls, regular file integrity monitoring, and application-level authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical user management files.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper access controls that restrict direct file system modifications to authorized administrators only, establishing regular file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes to userlist.cgi, and implementing application-level validation that prevents unauthorized modifications to user account information. Organizations should also consider upgrading to newer versions of the Aquonics File Manager that address this access control flaw and implement proper input validation and authorization checks. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits of user management files can help prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves combining file system security measures with application-level controls to ensure that user account modifications require proper authentication and authorization regardless of file system access permissions.