CVE-2002-2310 in Clickcartpro
Summary
by MITRE
ClickCartPro 4.0 stores the admin_user.db data file under the web document root with insufficient access control on servers other than Apache, which allows remote attackers to obtain usernames and passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-2310 represents a critical security flaw in the ClickCartPro e-commerce software version 4.0 that stems from improper file access control configuration. This issue specifically affects servers running web services other than Apache, creating a significant exposure window for remote attackers seeking unauthorized access to administrative credentials. The vulnerability arises from the application's default installation behavior of placing the admin_user.db database file within the web document root directory structure, which is inherently accessible through web requests. This misconfiguration directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper resource isolation, as sensitive authentication data becomes trivially accessible to any remote user who can make HTTP requests to the web server.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient access control mechanisms that fail to properly restrict access to the admin_user.db file, which contains hashed usernames and passwords for administrative accounts. When this file resides in the web document root, it becomes subject to web server access controls rather than the more restrictive file system permissions that would normally protect such sensitive data. This creates a path for remote code execution and privilege escalation attacks, as attackers can simply request the database file through standard HTTP GET operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it does not require any special authentication or exploitation techniques beyond basic web browsing capabilities, making it extremely accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with direct access to administrative interfaces that control the entire e-commerce platform. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to modify product catalogs, manipulate customer data, process fraudulent transactions, and potentially use the compromised administrative account to pivot into broader network infrastructure. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference vulnerability, where the application fails to properly validate access controls for database files, and aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). The vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including credential access through access token manipulation and privilege escalation through compromised administrative credentials.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through proper file placement and access control configuration. Organizations must move the admin_user.db file outside of the web document root and implement appropriate file system permissions that prevent web server processes from accessing sensitive database files. Additionally, implementing proper web server configuration to deny access to database files through URL rewriting rules or access control lists provides defense in depth. Regular security audits should verify that no sensitive files remain within web-accessible directories, and application developers should follow secure coding practices that prevent default installations from creating insecure configurations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of principle of least privilege implementation and proper separation of concerns in web application architecture, ensuring that authentication data remains isolated from web-accessible resources.