CVE-2003-0414 in One Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
The installation of Sun ONE Application Server 7.0 for Windows 2000/XP creates a statefile with world-readable permissions, which allows local users to gain privileges by reading a plaintext password in the statefile.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0414 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Sun ONE Application Server 7.0 installation on Windows 2000 and XP systems. This issue stems from improper file permission configuration during the installation process, creating a persistent security weakness that directly impacts system integrity and access control mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows operating systems and demonstrates a fundamental failure in the application server's installation routine to properly secure sensitive configuration files.
The technical flaw manifests through the creation of a statefile during installation that is configured with world-readable permissions, meaning any local user account on the system can access this file without authentication. This statefile contains plaintext passwords in unencrypted format, violating basic security principles for credential storage and exposing sensitive authentication information to unauthorized local users. The vulnerability resides in the installation and configuration phase rather than the runtime execution, making it particularly dangerous as it establishes a persistent backdoor for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides local attackers with the means to escalate their privileges within the system. When a local user can read the plaintext password from the statefile, they gain access to administrative credentials that can be used to compromise the entire application server environment. This creates a significant risk for systems where multiple users have local access, as the vulnerability does not require network connectivity or external exploitation methods. The attack vector is purely local and relies on the attacker's ability to execute commands on the target system with standard user privileges.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a clear example of improper access control implementation and weak credential management practices. The issue aligns with CWE-732, which addresses incorrect permission assignment for critical resources, and demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices during installation processes. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including proper file permission configuration, credential obfuscation, and regular security audits to identify similar misconfigurations. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through credential access, emphasizing the need for comprehensive endpoint security measures and proper access control policies to prevent unauthorized system compromise through local user accounts.