CVE-2002-2190 in Cutecast Forum
Summary
by MITRE
ArtsCore Studios CuteCast Forum 1.2 stores passwords in plaintext under the web document root, which allows remote attackers to obtain the passwords via an HTTP request to a .user file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-2190 represents a critical security flaw in ArtsCore Studios CuteCast Forum version 1.2 where password credentials are stored in plaintext format within the web document root directory. This configuration creates an easily exploitable weakness that directly violates fundamental security principles governing credential storage and access control. The vulnerability stems from poor security implementation practices where sensitive authentication data is not properly protected or encrypted, leaving it accessible to any remote attacker who can make HTTP requests to specific files within the web server's accessible directories.
The technical nature of this flaw involves the improper handling of user authentication data within the application's file system structure. When the forum software creates user account files, it generates .user files that contain password information in plain text format rather than implementing proper cryptographic hashing or encryption mechanisms. This design decision places the entire authentication infrastructure at risk since the web server's document root is inherently accessible to remote users through standard HTTP protocols. Attackers can simply construct HTTP requests to access these .user files directly, bypassing any application-level security controls that might otherwise protect the authentication data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with complete unauthorized access to user accounts within the forum system. This allows for account takeover attacks, where malicious actors can assume the identity of legitimate users and potentially gain access to additional systems if users have reused passwords across multiple platforms. The remote exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or any local privileges to compromise the stored credentials, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the web server is publicly accessible. The vulnerability also affects the overall security posture of organizations using this software, as it demonstrates a lack of basic security hygiene in credential management.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) and CWE-259 (Use of Hard-coded Passwords) categories, representing a clear violation of security best practices established in industry standards. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under T1566 (Phishing) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers can leverage stolen credentials to establish persistent access to systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including moving password files outside the web document root, implementing proper file permissions, and ensuring all authentication data is stored using strong cryptographic hashing mechanisms. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that no sensitive data is stored in accessible locations and that proper access controls are enforced throughout the application's file system structure to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software versions.