CVE-2004-2353 in BugPort
Summary
by MITRE
BugPort before 1.099 stores its configuration file (conf/config.conf) under the web document root with a file extension that is not normally parsed by web servers, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2353 affects BugPort versions prior to 1.099 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from improper configuration file placement within the web server's document root directory. This vulnerability exposes sensitive system configuration data to remote attackers who can access the configuration file through standard web requests, creating an avenue for unauthorized information gathering and potential exploitation of the underlying system. The flaw specifically relates to the web server's handling of file extensions that are typically ignored by web servers, yet in this case, the configuration file's extension allows it to be served to remote clients without proper access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web server's document root directory structure where BugPort places its configuration file at conf/config.conf. This placement is inherently dangerous because it allows the web server to serve the file directly to any client requesting it, regardless of whether the file extension would normally trigger server-side processing. The configuration file likely contains sensitive information such as database credentials, system passwords, administrative access details, or other configuration parameters that should remain protected from unauthorized access. This misconfiguration creates a direct pathway for attackers to retrieve system configuration data that could be used to escalate privileges or launch further attacks against the system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to obtain sensitive information that could lead to significant security compromises. The disclosure of configuration files often provides attackers with critical system details including authentication credentials, database connection strings, and potentially other sensitive parameters that could facilitate unauthorized access to backend systems. This information disclosure vulnerability can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, allowing threat actors to gather intelligence about the target system's architecture and security posture. The impact is particularly severe because the vulnerability does not require authentication or specialized exploitation techniques, making it accessible to any remote attacker with basic web browsing capabilities.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-545, which addresses the exposure of information through web server configuration files, and represents a classic case of improper access control where sensitive files are accessible through the web server interface. This flaw also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves the initial access phase where adversaries gather information about target systems through reconnaissance activities. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including moving configuration files outside of the web document root, implementing proper file access controls, and ensuring that sensitive files are not served through web servers without appropriate authentication mechanisms. The remediation process should involve updating to BugPort version 1.099 or later, which likely includes proper configuration file handling and access control measures to prevent unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information.