CVE-2011-0453 in Internet Gatekeeper
Summary
by MITRE
F-Secure Internet Gatekeeper for Linux 3.x before 3.03 does not require authentication for reading access logs, which allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information via a TCP session on the admin UI port.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0453 affects F-Secure Internet Gatekeeper for Linux version 3.x prior to 3.03, presenting a significant security weakness in the administrative interface design. This issue stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the application's access control framework, specifically impacting the administrative user interface that operates over TCP sessions. The flaw creates an exploitable condition where unauthorized remote attackers can gain access to sensitive information without proper credentials, fundamentally undermining the security posture of the protected network environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the administrative web interface of the F-Secure Internet Gatekeeper software, where access logs are exposed without proper authentication requirements. The administrative UI port serves as the attack vector, allowing remote adversaries to establish TCP sessions and retrieve potentially sensitive information from the access logs. This design flaw represents a failure in implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms, which is classified under CWE-284 Access Control Issues. The vulnerability specifically demonstrates a lack of authorization checks that should normally be enforced before granting access to administrative functions and sensitive data repositories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as access logs typically contain detailed records of network activity, user behavior patterns, and potentially sensitive system information. Remote attackers exploiting this weakness could obtain comprehensive insights into network traffic patterns, user activities, and system operations that could be leveraged for further attacks or to understand the security landscape of the protected environment. This information disclosure vulnerability enables adversaries to perform reconnaissance activities that would otherwise require legitimate administrative access, potentially leading to more severe compromise scenarios. The vulnerability's impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1046 (Network Service Scanning) as attackers can systematically gather information about the system's configuration and operational state.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of F-Secure Internet Gatekeeper face substantial risk from this vulnerability, as it creates an entry point for unauthorized information gathering that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments. The lack of authentication requirements for reading access logs represents a fundamental flaw in the security architecture, as these logs typically contain sensitive operational data that should remain protected from unauthorized access. This vulnerability directly violates security principles of least privilege and proper access control enforcement, creating a persistent risk that remains active until the software is properly updated.
The recommended mitigation for this vulnerability involves upgrading to F-Secure Internet Gatekeeper version 3.03 or later, which includes proper authentication mechanisms for accessing administrative interfaces and access logs. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative ports and consider additional monitoring of administrative sessions to detect unauthorized access attempts. Security administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially exposed administrative interfaces and ensure that proper access controls are implemented across all network security devices. The remediation process should include verification that authentication requirements are properly enforced and that access logs are protected from unauthorized access through appropriate access control lists and network security policies.