CVE-2003-1341 in Virus Buster
Summary
by MITRE
The default installation of Trend Micro OfficeScan 3.0 through 3.54 and 5.x allows remote attackers to bypass authentication from cgiChkMasterPasswd.exe and gain access to the web management console via a direct request to cgiMasterPwd.exe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1341 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in Trend Micro OfficeScan versions 3.0 through 3.54 and 5.x series. This weakness stems from improper access control implementation within the web management console's authentication mechanism, specifically affecting the cgiChkMasterPasswd.exe component. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to circumvent the standard authentication process by directly accessing the cgiMasterPwd.exe script, which should have been protected from unauthorized access. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for malicious actors to gain administrative privileges without proper credentials, fundamentally compromising the security posture of affected systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through direct HTTP requests to the cgiMasterPwd.exe endpoint, which bypasses the normal authentication flow that would typically require valid user credentials. This flaw falls under CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and specifically relates to CWE-306, which covers missing authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability exists because the web application fails to properly validate access permissions for the master password checking functionality, allowing any remote user to access the management interface with elevated privileges. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary commands, modify system configurations, and potentially gain complete control over the OfficeScan management console.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables unauthorized remote access to critical system management functions. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can perform administrative tasks such as adding or removing users, modifying security policies, accessing sensitive configuration data, and potentially deploying malicious code throughout the network. This weakness particularly affects enterprise environments where OfficeScan is deployed for endpoint protection, as it provides a backdoor for attackers to compromise the centralized management infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to leverage this flaw, making it especially dangerous in networked environments.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Trend Micro, which would address the authentication bypass mechanism. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected web management console ports, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Additional protective measures include enabling strong authentication mechanisms, implementing network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of the OfficeScan installation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and validates the need for comprehensive security testing of web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege and ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to critical management interfaces. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper authentication mechanisms in security software and the potential consequences when such controls are improperly implemented or missing entirely.