CVE-2002-2152 in Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Czech edition of Software602 s Web Server before 2002.0.02.0916 allows remote attackers to gain administrator privileges via direct HTTP requests to the /admin/ directory, which is not password protected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-2152 represents a critical security flaw in the Czech edition of Software602 s Web Server software, specifically affecting versions prior to 2002.0.02.0916. This issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the web server implementation, creating a pathway for unauthorized remote attackers to escalate their privileges to administrator level. The flaw manifests through the absence of proper authentication controls on the administrative interface, specifically the /admin/ directory that is directly accessible via HTTP requests without any form of password protection or authorization checks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor-like entry point where attackers can bypass normal authentication procedures by directly accessing administrative functions through HTTP requests. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of weak session management and improper privilege enforcement, allowing unauthenticated users to gain elevated system privileges. The lack of proper input validation and access control checks on the administrative endpoints creates a significant security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring any specialized tools or complex attack vectors.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations relying on the affected web server software. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to gain full administrative control over the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, service disruption, and unauthorized modifications to web content or server configurations. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires no complex exploitation techniques, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. This vulnerability could enable attackers to install malware, modify web applications, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected software to version 2002.0.02.0916 or later, which presumably includes proper access control measures. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to restrict direct access to administrative interfaces, deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious HTTP requests, and enforce strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication for any administrative access points. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that no unauthorized administrative access points exist and that proper access control lists are implemented across all web server components. The remediation process should also include reviewing and implementing proper security configurations that align with industry standards such as those recommended by the Center for Internet Security and the Open Web Application Security Project to prevent similar access control weaknesses in other system components.