CVE-2003-1102 in CyberDOCS
Summary
by MITRE
Hummingbird CyberDOCS 3.5, 3.9, and 4.0, when running on IIS, uses insecure permissions for script source code files, which allows remote attackers to read the source code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1102 affects Hummingbird CyberDOCS versions 3.5, 3.9, and 4.0 when deployed on Microsoft Internet Information Services platforms. This security flaw represents a critical configuration issue that exposes sensitive application source code to unauthorized access. The vulnerability stems from improper file permission settings that allow remote attackers to retrieve script source code files through web requests, fundamentally compromising the application's security posture. The affected versions of CyberDOCS utilize insecure default configurations that fail to properly restrict access to their underlying script files, creating an avenue for information disclosure attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web server's handling of file access permissions within the CyberDOCS application directory structure. When running on IIS, the application fails to properly implement access controls for its script source files, which are typically stored in directories accessible through the web root. This misconfiguration allows attackers to craft specific HTTP requests that traverse the file system and retrieve sensitive source code files without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability specifically targets the web server's file permission model where script files such as asp, php, or other server-side includes are not properly protected from public access, enabling direct file retrieval through web browser requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed source code contains potentially sensitive implementation details that could aid attackers in developing more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can obtain database connection strings, authentication logic, business rule implementations, and other proprietary code elements that would otherwise remain hidden. This information disclosure creates a significant risk for organizations as it provides attackers with detailed knowledge of the application's internal workings, potentially enabling them to identify additional vulnerabilities through source code analysis. The exposure of source code also compromises intellectual property and could lead to competitive disadvantages for affected organizations.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to CWE-275 permissions and access control weaknesses, which specifically addresses inadequate access control mechanisms. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through the exploitation of insecure configurations. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including proper file permission configurations, ensuring that source code files are not accessible through the web root, and implementing proper access controls using IIS authentication and authorization mechanisms. The recommended remediation involves restricting access to application directories through IIS configuration settings, implementing proper directory permissions that prevent public access to source code files, and conducting comprehensive security audits of web application configurations to identify similar insecure permission settings. Additionally, organizations should establish security policies that mandate proper file permission management during application deployment and regularly audit their web server configurations to prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications.