CVE-2000-1070 in Poll It
Summary
by MITRE
pollit.cgi in Poll It 2.01 and earlier uses data files that are located under the web document root, which allows remote attackers to access sensitive or private information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-1070 resides in the pollit.cgi script component of Poll It version 2.01 and earlier, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that directly impacts web application security. This issue stems from the improper configuration of data file storage locations within the web server's document root directory structure. The vulnerability specifically affects web applications that utilize polling mechanisms to collect user opinions or feedback, where the underlying data storage is not adequately protected from unauthorized access.
The technical flaw manifests through the insecure placement of sensitive data files within the web-accessible directory structure. When pollit.cgi processes polling requests, it relies on data files that are stored in locations accessible via standard web protocols. This misconfiguration allows remote attackers to directly access these data files through HTTP requests, bypassing normal application security controls. The vulnerability exploits the fundamental principle of least privilege by placing sensitive information in directories that are inherently accessible to all web visitors, creating an attack surface that enables unauthorized data retrieval.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to complete compromise of polling systems and potentially expose sensitive user data. Attackers can exploit this weakness to obtain private poll results, user voting patterns, and other confidential information that may reveal user preferences or organizational activities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where polling systems collect sensitive data such as employee surveys, customer feedback, or confidential voting mechanisms. This type of information exposure aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes improper information exposure as a critical security weakness affecting data confidentiality and system integrity.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability enables threat actors to perform reconnaissance activities without requiring authentication or sophisticated exploitation techniques. The attack vector is straightforward and can be executed through simple HTTP requests to access the data files directly, making it an attractive target for automated scanning tools. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in web application development, where proper file access controls and secure configuration management were not implemented. This weakness can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which covers data from information repositories, as it allows unauthorized access to stored data through insecure file handling.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-1070 require immediate remediation of the file storage configuration and implementation of proper access controls. Organizations should relocate sensitive data files outside the web document root and implement proper file permission settings to restrict access to authorized users only. The recommended solution involves reconfiguring the application to store data files in system directories with appropriate access controls, while ensuring that web-accessible content is separated from sensitive data storage. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and access logging can help detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. This vulnerability underscores the importance of secure configuration management and proper separation of concerns in web application architecture, aligning with security frameworks that emphasize the protection of sensitive data through proper access control mechanisms and secure coding practices.