CVE-2003-1571 in Guestbook
Summary
by MITRE
Web Wiz Guestbook 6.0 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download the database and obtain sensitive information via a direct request for database/WWGguestbook.mdb. NOTE: it was later reported that 8.21 is also affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1571 affects Web Wiz Guestbook versions 6.0 and 8.21, representing a critical misconfiguration issue that exposes sensitive data through improper access control mechanisms. This flaw resides in the application's default installation settings where database files are stored in directories accessible through the web root, creating an obvious security gap that remote attackers can exploit without authentication. The specific file WWGguestbook.mdb contains guestbook entries and potentially user information that should remain protected from unauthorized access, yet the application's configuration leaves it directly accessible via HTTP requests.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-275 permission issues and represents a classic case of inadequate access control implementation where sensitive data is stored in publicly accessible directories. The flaw operates through a straightforward exploitation technique where an attacker simply needs to construct a direct URL request to access the database file, bypassing any authentication or authorization mechanisms that should normally protect such sensitive information. The impact extends beyond mere data exposure since guestbook applications often collect user information including names, email addresses, and potentially personal messages that could be used for social engineering or identity theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows for complete database compromise without requiring advanced exploitation techniques or privileged access. Attackers can directly download the entire database file and extract all stored information, potentially including user credentials, contact details, and other sensitive data that may have been entered by users. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where guestbooks are used to collect personal information or where the applications are deployed without proper security hardening. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security by design principles and highlights the importance of following secure coding practices that ensure sensitive data is properly protected through appropriate access controls and file system permissions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through proper file system permissions and web server configuration to prevent direct access to database files. Organizations should ensure that database files are stored outside of web-accessible directories and that proper access controls are implemented to restrict access to authorized users only. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations in other applications, and the implementation of web application firewalls can provide additional protection against direct database access attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure default configurations and proper access control implementation as outlined in various security frameworks including the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. The issue also relates to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for credential access through database dumping and emphasizes the need for proper data protection measures throughout the application lifecycle.