CVE-2004-2608 in Smart Guest Book
Summary
by MITRE
SmartWebby Smart Guest Book stores SmartGuestBook.mdb (aka the "news database") under the web document root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information such as the unencrypted username and password of the administrator s account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2608 represents a critical security flaw in the SmartWebby Smart Guest Book application that exposes sensitive authentication credentials through improper file access controls. This issue stems from the application's design where the primary database file SmartGuestBook.mdb is stored within the web document root directory structure, making it directly accessible to remote attackers without proper authentication mechanisms. The database file contains unencrypted administrative credentials, creating a significant risk for systems running this legacy guest book software.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through simple web requests that can retrieve the database file from the web server's document root. Since the database is stored in a publicly accessible location, attackers can directly download the SmartGuestBook.mdb file and examine its contents to extract administrative login credentials. This represents a fundamental failure in access control implementation where sensitive data is not properly protected through appropriate file permissions, directory restrictions, or application-level authentication controls. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-275 permissions issues and CWE-312 exposure of sensitive data, as it demonstrates both inadequate access controls and the exposure of sensitive information in cleartext format.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as administrators who use weak passwords or reuse credentials across multiple systems face elevated risk of unauthorized access to their web applications and potentially underlying systems. The unencrypted nature of the stored credentials means that even if attackers cannot directly execute commands on the system, they can gain administrative access to the guest book application itself, which may provide a foothold for further attacks or allow modification of guest book entries, potentially leading to defacement or data manipulation. This vulnerability also demonstrates a broader pattern of insecure configuration practices where database files are stored in web-accessible directories without proper access restrictions, creating a vector for information disclosure attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper file access controls and secure configuration practices. Organizations should relocate the database file outside of the web document root and implement appropriate file permissions that prevent unauthorized access while maintaining application functionality. The solution should involve restricting access to the SmartGuestBook.mdb file through web server configuration, directory permissions, or application-level access controls. Additionally, implementing encryption for stored credentials, enforcing strong password policies, and regularly auditing file access permissions can prevent similar vulnerabilities. This issue also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, which specifically addresses insecure direct object references and insecure configuration as critical security concerns. The vulnerability demonstrates how basic security misconfigurations can lead to complete administrative compromise of web applications and emphasizes the need for proper security testing and configuration reviews during application deployment.