CVE-2004-2060 in ASPRunner
Summary
by MITRE
ASPRunner 2.4 stores the database under the web root in the db directory, which may allow remote attackers to obtain the database via a direct request to the database filename, which is predictable based on table and field names.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2060 represents a critical misconfiguration issue within ASPRunner 2.4, a web application development tool that generates dynamic database-driven applications. This flaw stems from the application's improper handling of database storage locations, where the database files are placed directly within the web root directory structure under a predictable path named 'db'. The vulnerability manifests when attackers can directly access database files through HTTP requests, exploiting the predictable naming conventions that correlate database structure elements such as table and field names with the actual database filenames. This misconfiguration creates an inherent security weakness that violates fundamental principles of secure application design and data protection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through a combination of poor directory structure management and predictable file naming conventions. When ASPRunner 2.4 generates database applications, it places the actual database files in a location that is directly accessible via web requests rather than implementing proper access controls or placing databases in restricted server directories. The predictability of database filenames based on table and field names means that an attacker who knows the application structure can easily construct direct URLs to access database files without requiring authentication or valid session tokens. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-275 permissions issues and specifically relates to CWE-212 improper data protection, where sensitive data is stored in locations accessible to unauthorized parties. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories, as it enables unauthorized access to stored database information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with complete access to the underlying database content, including user credentials, personal information, financial data, and other sensitive records stored within the application. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring any special privileges or complex attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive data. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the system by allowing unauthorized access to database files that should remain protected within the application's server-side processing environment. This exposure creates a pathway for data exfiltration, potential data modification, and could lead to further exploitation through techniques such as SQL injection or privilege escalation within the database environment. The impact is particularly severe when considering that ASPRunner applications are often used for enterprise-level applications where database content typically contains highly sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate configuration issues and implement proper access controls for database storage. Organizations should immediately relocate database files outside of the web root directory structure and implement proper file access controls that prevent direct HTTP access to database files. The recommended approach involves configuring the application to store database files in server-side directories that are not accessible via HTTP requests, and implementing proper authentication mechanisms for any database access operations. Security measures should include implementing proper directory permissions, using secure file naming conventions that do not expose database structure information, and ensuring that database files are stored in locations that require appropriate access controls. Additionally, administrators should implement proper monitoring and logging for database access attempts, and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and prevent direct database file access attempts. The fix should also include regular security audits to ensure that no other database files are inadvertently exposed through similar misconfigurations. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper data protection mechanisms and the necessity of following secure coding practices that prevent sensitive data exposure through predictable file access patterns.