CVE-2003-0401 in Content Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Vignette StoryServer and Vignette V/5 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a request for the /vgn/style template.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0401 affects Vignette StoryServer and Vignette V/5 content management systems, representing a significant information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive system data. This vulnerability specifically manifests through requests directed to the /vgn/style template endpoint, which serves as an unintended pathway for unauthorized data retrieval. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the application's template processing system, allowing attackers to bypass normal security restrictions and obtain confidential information that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate requests made to the /vgn/style template path. When an attacker submits a crafted request to this endpoint, the system processes the template without adequate authorization checks, potentially exposing system configuration details, database connection strings, user credentials, or other sensitive data that resides within the application's template processing framework. This represents a classic case of improper access control where the system fails to verify that the requesting entity has appropriate privileges to access the requested template resources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses inadequate access control mechanisms, and specifically relates to the improper restriction of operations within a recognized access control system.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0401 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the sensitive data potentially accessible through this vulnerability could enable attackers to conduct further exploitation activities. Attackers might leverage the exposed information to identify system architecture details, discover additional vulnerabilities, or craft more sophisticated attacks targeting other components of the application infrastructure. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 which covers discovery of system information, and T1566 which covers credential access through various means.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to the /vgn/style template endpoint through web server configuration, implementing proper input validation for all template requests, and conducting comprehensive security reviews of template processing mechanisms. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to these endpoints, while application-level controls should enforce strict authentication and authorization checks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be performed to identify similar access control flaws within the application's template processing system. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for unusual access patterns to template endpoints and implement logging mechanisms that can detect and alert on potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the need for comprehensive security testing of all application components including template processing systems.