CVE-2018-7581 in WebLog Expert Web Server Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
\ProgramData\WebLog Expert\WebServer\WebServer.cfg in WebLog Expert Web Server Enterprise 9.4 has weak permissions (BUILTIN\Users:(ID)C), which allows local users to set a cleartext password and login as admin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7581 resides within the WebLog Expert Web Server Enterprise version 9.4, specifically in the configuration file located at \ProgramData\WebLog Expert\WebServer\WebServer.cfg. This issue represents a critical misconfiguration that fundamentally undermines the security posture of the web server implementation. The weakness manifests through inadequate file permission settings that grant broad access to the local user base, creating an exploitable path for privilege escalation and unauthorized administrative access.
The technical flaw stems from the insecure default permissions assigned to the WebServer.cfg configuration file, where the BUILTIN\Users group is granted complete control (ID)C permissions. This permission structure violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control enforcement. The configuration file contains sensitive authentication credentials stored in cleartext format, making it trivial for local attackers to modify administrative access settings. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions, and represents a classic case of inadequate access control implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating a comprehensive security breach vector that allows local users to assume administrative privileges without proper authentication mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness to modify server configurations, access sensitive log data, manipulate web server behavior, and potentially establish persistent access points. The cleartext password storage violates industry standards for credential protection and represents a significant risk to data confidentiality and system integrity. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where local user access cannot be strictly controlled, creating a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the system operates with these default permissions.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary immediate fix involves correcting file permissions to restrict access to only authorized administrative accounts and services. The configuration file should be secured using proper access control lists that limit read and write permissions to specific system accounts. Additionally, the implementation of encrypted credential storage mechanisms should replace the current cleartext approach, aligning with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-63B for identity management and authentication. Organizations should implement regular security audits to detect and remediate similar permission misconfigurations across their infrastructure, utilizing ATT&CK framework techniques for identifying privilege escalation vectors and ensuring comprehensive defense in depth strategies are maintained.