CVE-2004-0915 in viewcvs
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unknown vulnerabilities in viewcvs before 0.9.2, when exporting a repository as a tar archive, does not properly implement the hide_cvsroot and forbidden settings, which could allow remote attackers to gain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0915 resides within the ViewCVS web-based repository browser software version 0.9.1 and earlier, presenting a significant information disclosure risk that stems from improper implementation of access control mechanisms during repository export operations. This flaw specifically affects the software's handling of the hide_cvsroot and forbidden settings when users attempt to export repository contents as tar archives, creating a pathway for unauthorized information access that bypasses intended security controls.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the software's export functionality where it fails to properly enforce access restrictions that should prevent users from viewing or accessing sensitive repository information. When a user exports a repository as a tar archive, the system should apply the hide_cvsroot setting to obscure repository root paths and the forbidden setting to block access to restricted directories or files. However, the vulnerability allows attackers to circumvent these protections, potentially exposing sensitive data including repository structure, file paths, and potentially confidential source code elements that should remain hidden from unauthorized users.
This vulnerability operates at the intersection of access control and information disclosure, creating a scenario where remote attackers can exploit the flawed implementation to gain unauthorized access to repository metadata and potentially sensitive source code elements. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it represents a failure in the software's security model, where the export functionality does not properly validate user permissions or enforce the security policies that should normally protect repository contents. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to bypass the intended security boundaries that separate public and private repository information.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) categories, representing a classic case of insufficient access control enforcement during data export operations. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers could potentially use the exposed information to craft more sophisticated attacks against the repository or its users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the export functionality, which is commonly used for legitimate purposes but becomes a vector for information extraction when access controls are improperly enforced.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate information disclosure to potentially compromise the integrity and confidentiality of source code repositories. Organizations using ViewCVS versions prior to 0.9.2 could find their repository structures, file names, and potentially sensitive code elements exposed to unauthorized users who perform export operations. This exposure could lead to competitive intelligence theft, security reconnaissance for future attacks, or compromise of intellectual property contained within the repositories. The vulnerability essentially undermines the trust model of the repository browser, where users expect that access controls will prevent unauthorized access to repository content regardless of the operation being performed.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on upgrading to ViewCVS version 0.9.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly implement the hide_cvsroot and forbidden settings during export operations. System administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls such as network-level restrictions, authentication requirements for export functionality, and monitoring for unusual export activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications, particularly when dealing with sensitive data export operations that must maintain the security boundaries established by the application's access control mechanisms. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of their repository browsing tools to ensure that access control policies are properly enforced across all functionality, including export and download operations.