CVE-2001-0821 in Dcshop
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of DCShop 1.002 beta places sensitive files in the cgi-bin directory, which could allow remote attackers to read sensitive data via an HTTP GET request for (1) orders.txt or (2) auth_user_file.txt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0821 represents a critical misconfiguration issue within the DCShop 1.002 beta e-commerce platform that fundamentally undermines the system's security posture. This flaw stems from the application's default installation settings where sensitive operational files are inadvertently placed in the publicly accessible cgi-bin directory, creating an exploitable path for unauthorized information disclosure. The vulnerability specifically affects two critical files: orders.txt which contains transactional data from customer purchases, and auth_user_file.txt which likely stores authentication credentials or user access information. This misconfiguration directly violates security best practices by exposing sensitive data through the web server's default document root, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can construct appropriate HTTP GET requests.
The technical execution of this vulnerability relies on the web server's default directory structure and access controls that fail to properly isolate sensitive application files from public web access. When the DCShop application is installed without proper security hardening, the cgi-bin directory becomes a vector for information disclosure attacks where remote attackers can simply append the filenames orders.txt or auth_user_file.txt to their HTTP GET requests to retrieve the contents of these files. This represents a classic case of insecure file permissions and directory configuration where the application's default installation process fails to properly secure sensitive data repositories. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of principle of least privilege in the application's deployment configuration, allowing unauthorized access to data that should remain protected within the application's internal processing environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks that could compromise the entire e-commerce platform. The orders.txt file typically contains detailed transactional information including customer purchase history, product details, and potentially financial data, while the auth_user_file.txt could provide credentials or access controls that would allow attackers to escalate privileges within the system. This vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to perform reconnaissance, conduct customer data breaches, and potentially exploit additional system weaknesses that may exist when sensitive authentication information becomes available. The exposure of such data could lead to financial fraud, identity theft, and significant reputational damage to the organization operating the vulnerable e-commerce platform.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including proper file placement and access control configurations to prevent sensitive files from being accessible through the web server's document root. The recommended approach involves moving sensitive configuration files outside of the web-accessible directories and implementing proper file permissions that restrict access to authorized personnel only. Additionally, security hardening procedures should be implemented during the installation process to ensure that sensitive files are not inadvertently placed in public directories. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-732, which addresses Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resources, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should be enforced in all web application deployments. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security audits to detect and prevent similar misconfigurations in other applications within their infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1083, File and Directory Discovery, as attackers can systematically identify and access sensitive files through web-based reconnaissance techniques.