CVE-2002-2389 in The Server
Summary
by MITRE
TheServer 1.74 web server stores server.ini under the web document root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain cleartext passwords and gain access to server log files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2389 represents a critical security flaw in the Server 1.74 web server implementation that fundamentally compromises the confidentiality and integrity of system credentials. This vulnerability stems from improper file placement and access control mechanisms within the web server's configuration structure, creating an exploitable condition that directly enables unauthorized information disclosure. The server.ini file containing cleartext passwords is positioned within the web document root directory, which is inherently accessible to any remote user with internet connectivity. This misconfiguration violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper resource isolation, as sensitive administrative information becomes trivially accessible through standard web browsing mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through simple HTTP requests that target the web document root directory where the server.ini file resides. Attackers can directly access this configuration file without authentication, extracting cleartext passwords that are stored in plain text format rather than being properly hashed or encrypted. This weakness creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation and lateral movement within the affected system, as the extracted credentials can be used to gain administrative access to the web server itself and potentially to underlying systems. The vulnerability specifically affects the server's file access control mechanisms and demonstrates a failure in implementing proper file system permissions and web server configuration security practices. The presence of server log files within the same accessible directory further compounds the risk, as these files may contain sensitive operational information, session data, or additional credential information that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-2389 extends beyond immediate credential theft to encompass broader system compromise and data exposure risks. Once attackers obtain the cleartext passwords, they can establish persistent access to the web server, modify content, escalate privileges, or use the credentials to access other systems where the same passwords might be reused. The exposure of server log files provides additional attack surface, as these files may contain sensitive information about system operations, user activities, or even additional credential information that could be exploited for further compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on older web server implementations and highlights the importance of proper security configuration and regular vulnerability assessments. The flaw demonstrates a failure in implementing security by design principles and represents a classic example of insecure configuration management that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to critical system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2389 require immediate remediation of the configuration error by relocating sensitive files outside the web document root and implementing proper access controls. Organizations should ensure that server.ini and other sensitive configuration files are stored in secure directories with restricted access permissions and that web servers are configured to prevent directory traversal attacks. The implementation of proper file system permissions, including restrictive read permissions for sensitive files, is essential to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for attempts to access sensitive files through web interfaces. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations in other systems. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of implementing proper credential management practices, including the use of encrypted storage for passwords and regular credential rotation. This issue aligns with CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource and addresses ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls that address both configuration weaknesses and operational security practices.