CVE-2013-1337 in .NET Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 does not properly create policy requirements for custom Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) endpoint authentication in certain situations involving passwords over HTTPS, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication by sending queries to an endpoint, aka "Authentication Bypass Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1337 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 that specifically affects Windows Communication Foundation WCF endpoint security mechanisms. This issue stems from improper policy creation during the authentication process when WCF endpoints utilize password-based authentication over HTTPS connections. The flaw allows remote attackers to circumvent the intended security controls by crafting specific queries that exploit gaps in the framework's authentication handling. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of secure communication channels, enabling unauthorized access to services that should require proper authentication credentials.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in how the .NET Framework 4.5 handles policy requirements for custom WCF endpoint authentication when password credentials are transmitted over HTTPS. The framework fails to properly validate or enforce authentication policies in specific scenarios where password-based authentication is used in conjunction with HTTPS transport security. This creates a condition where the authentication process can be bypassed without proper credential validation, allowing attackers to establish connections to WCF endpoints without providing valid authentication information. The flaw manifests when the framework's policy engine does not correctly process the authentication requirements, effectively rendering the authentication mechanism ineffective.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1337 is significant for organizations utilizing Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 with WCF services that employ password-based authentication over HTTPS. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive services and data, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, and unauthorized system access. The vulnerability affects any system running .NET Framework 4.5 where WCF endpoints are configured with password authentication over HTTPS, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such configurations are common. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or prior authentication credentials.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security patches and updates that address this authentication bypass vulnerability. System administrators should also review and validate WCF endpoint configurations to ensure proper authentication policies are enforced, particularly focusing on password-based authentication mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, as it allows unauthorized access through bypassed authentication mechanisms. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates weaknesses in the principle of least privilege enforcement within WCF security models and should be addressed through comprehensive security assessments of all .NET Framework 4.5 implementations.