CVE-2004-2323 in DotNetNuke
Summary
by MITRE
DotNetNuke (formerly IBuySpy Workshop) 1.0.6 through 1.0.10d allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information, including the SQL server username and password, via a GET request for source or configuration files such as Web.config.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
DotNetNuke version 1.0.6 through 1.0.10d contained a critical information disclosure vulnerability that exposed sensitive database credentials through improper file access controls. This vulnerability allowed remote attackers to retrieve configuration files containing database connection strings and authentication details by simply crafting GET requests to specific endpoints. The flaw stemmed from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the application's file serving functionality, which failed to properly restrict access to sensitive configuration files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploited weak directory traversal protections and insufficient authentication checks in the web application's request handling logic. Attackers could directly access files such as Web.config that contained database connection strings with embedded username and password credentials, effectively bypassing normal application security controls. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic example of insecure direct object reference vulnerabilities that enable unauthorized data access. The flaw specifically manifested when the application failed to validate user permissions before serving configuration files, allowing any remote user to retrieve these sensitive resources without proper authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was severe and far-reaching for organizations running affected DotNetNuke versions. Successful exploitation provided attackers with direct access to database credentials, enabling them to establish unauthorized database connections and potentially escalate privileges within the application's data layer. This information disclosure could lead to complete system compromise through database attacks, data exfiltration, or privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability particularly affected web applications using SQL Server databases, where the exposed credentials could be immediately utilized to access and manipulate sensitive data stored within the database. This weakness created a persistent security risk that could remain undetected for extended periods, as the vulnerability existed in the application's core file serving mechanisms.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to configuration files through web server configuration, implementing proper authentication checks for file access requests, and applying available patches from DotNetNuke vendors. The remediation process should involve configuring web server access controls to prevent direct access to .config files and other sensitive resources, implementing proper input validation for all file access requests, and conducting comprehensive security reviews of application file access mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should monitor for unauthorized access attempts and implement network-level controls to restrict access to sensitive application components. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the potential consequences of insufficient security controls in web application frameworks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through information discovery activities.