CVE-2002-2290 in Site Server
Summary
by MITRE
Mambo Site Server 4.0.11 installs with a default username and password of admin, which allows remote attackers to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2290 represents a critical security flaw in Mambo Site Server version 4.0.11 that stems from improper default credential configuration. This issue falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms and directly violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. The default administrative credentials of admin/admin create an easily exploitable entry point that significantly undermines the security posture of affected systems.
This vulnerability operates through a straightforward exploitation vector where remote attackers can leverage the well-known default credentials to gain administrative access to the Mambo Site Server instance. The flaw represents a classic case of insecure default configuration as classified by CWE-798, where hardcoded credentials are provided with the software installation. The default administrative account with unrestricted access permissions creates a persistent security risk that persists until explicitly addressed by system administrators through credential changes or account disabling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform administrative functions including but not limited to user account manipulation, content modification, database access, and system configuration changes. This privilege escalation capability allows adversaries to compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the entire web application platform. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or prior authentication to exploit the weakness, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials and T1566 which addresses credential harvesting. The default credentials create an attack surface that requires minimal reconnaissance effort, making it attractive to automated scanning tools and opportunistic attackers. Organizations running vulnerable Mambo Site Server installations face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security by design principles and highlights the critical importance of implementing mandatory credential changes during initial system setup as recommended by CIS Controls and ISO 27001 standards.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate credential changes to eliminate the default administrative account, implementation of strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits to identify similar insecure configurations. System administrators must also consider disabling default accounts entirely and implementing network segmentation to limit potential exploitation impact. Additionally, organizations should establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely updates and security fixes are deployed across all web application platforms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in the environment.