CVE-2000-0904 in Voyager
Summary
by MITRE
Voyager web server 2.01B in the demo disks for QNX 405 stores sensitive web client information in the .photon directory in the web document root, which allows remote attackers to obtain that information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0904 affects the Voyager web server version 2.01B distributed with QNX 405 demo disks, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive client data through improper file system permissions and directory structure design. This issue manifests when the web server stores client-related information in the .photon directory located within the web document root, creating an insecure configuration that directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and secure by default design. The vulnerability stems from the server's failure to properly isolate sensitive operational data from public web access paths, creating a direct attack vector for remote adversaries seeking to compromise client information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web server's storage mechanism for client session data, authentication tokens, and potentially other sensitive information within a directory that remains accessible through the web server's document root. The .photon directory serves as an insecure storage location where client data is written without proper access controls or sanitization measures, allowing any remote attacker with knowledge of the directory structure to directly access these files through standard web requests. This flaw represents a classic case of insecure file permissions and improper directory access control, where the web server's configuration fails to distinguish between public web content and private client data. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-275 as "Permission Issues" and more specifically relates to CWE-532 as "Information Exposure Through Log Data" when considering the potential exposure of session information and authentication data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to client resources. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to obtain sensitive client information such as session identifiers, user credentials, or other authentication data that could be used to impersonate legitimate users or gain deeper access to the affected system. The exposure of such data creates cascading security risks where initial reconnaissance can lead to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where the Voyager web server is used in production or demonstration scenarios, as the insecure configuration persists in the default installation and can be exploited by any remote attacker without requiring special privileges or complex attack chains. The impact is amplified by the fact that this vulnerability exists in a web server implementation that may be used in various environments, including those with sensitive data handling requirements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0904 should focus on immediate remediation of the directory structure and access controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. Organizations should relocate sensitive data storage outside of the web document root, implement proper file permissions and access controls, and ensure that no sensitive information is stored in directories accessible through the web server. The implementation of proper input validation and secure coding practices should be enforced to prevent similar issues in future deployments. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that web server configurations follow secure baseline practices and that no sensitive data is inadvertently exposed through web-accessible directories. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure configuration management and the fundamental principle that web servers should never expose sensitive operational data through public access points, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through exposed services and T1083 for discovery of files and directories.