CVE-2004-1893 in Dreamweaver
Summary
by MITRE
Dreamweaver MX, when "Using Driver On Testing Server" or "Using DSN on Testing Server" is selected, uploads the mmhttpdb.asp script to the web site but does not require authentication, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information and possibly execute arbitrary SQL commands via a direct request to mmhttpdb.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1893 represents a critical security flaw in Adobe Dreamweaver MX that stems from improper authentication mechanisms during the testing server configuration process. This issue occurs when users select either the "Using Driver On Testing Server" or "Using DSN on Testing Server" options within the software's configuration settings. The flaw manifests as an insecure deployment mechanism that automatically uploads a malicious script file named mmhttpdb.asp to the target web server without requiring any form of authentication or authorization validation. This behavior directly violates fundamental security principles and creates an exploitable entry point for remote attackers who can access the uploaded script directly through web requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the automatic deployment of a web-based database interface script that lacks proper access controls. When Dreamweaver MX processes these testing server configurations, it creates a mmhttpdb.asp file that provides direct database connectivity capabilities through a web interface. This script essentially functions as a database management tool that can execute SQL commands remotely, making it a potent vector for database exploitation. The absence of authentication requirements means that any remote attacker who can discover the URL of the mmhttpdb.asp script can immediately gain access to the underlying database system. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference where the script's location is predictable and accessible without proper authorization checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, encompassing both information disclosure and arbitrary code execution capabilities. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can obtain sensitive information from the database, including user credentials, personal data, financial records, and other confidential business information. The ability to execute arbitrary SQL commands through the mmhttpdb.asp interface provides attackers with extensive control over the database system, potentially allowing them to modify, delete, or extract data at will. This vulnerability essentially transforms a legitimate development tool into a weapon for database compromise, as it enables attackers to bypass normal database security controls and execute commands directly against the backend database system. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise, service disruption, and compliance violations that could result in significant financial and reputational damage to affected organizations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical skill and can be accomplished through standard web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Dreamweaver MX is used for web application development. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability exists in the context of web application development tools rather than the final deployed applications, which makes it more insidious as it can remain undetected within development environments and potentially propagate to production systems. Organizations using Dreamweaver MX should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the problematic testing server configurations, ensuring proper network segmentation between development and production environments, and conducting thorough security reviews of all automatically deployed files. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure configuration management practices and demonstrates how development tools can inadvertently create security risks if not properly secured. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving unauthorized access to database systems and command execution through web interfaces, representing a critical weakness in the application development lifecycle that requires comprehensive security controls to prevent exploitation.