CVE-2004-2633 in Sesame Rdf Container
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Sesamie 1.0 allows remote anonymous attackers to gain access to repositories of other users via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2633 represents a critical access control flaw within Sesamie 1.0, a web-based content management system that was prevalent during the early 2000s. This unspecified weakness in the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms creates a significant security risk by allowing unauthorized remote actors to bypass normal access restrictions and obtain access to data repositories belonging to other users. The vulnerability specifically targets the core security model of the system, where proper user isolation and repository access controls fail to function as intended. The attack vector operates entirely through remote connections without requiring any prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control issues that are commonly classified as CWE-284, which deals with inadequate access control mechanisms in software applications. The security implications extend beyond simple data theft to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized modification of user content, as attackers could potentially manipulate repository data and access sensitive information stored within the system. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the fundamental security architecture of the application, suggesting that the underlying code fails to properly implement user session management and repository isolation. This weakness represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation and access control checks can create pathways for unauthorized data access, particularly when dealing with multi-user environments where proper separation of concerns is essential for maintaining data integrity and privacy. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which addresses legitimate credentials and valid accounts as a means of gaining access to systems, though in this case the access is gained through a flaw in the application's access control rather than through stolen credentials. The lack of specific details about the exact vector used to exploit this vulnerability makes it particularly concerning as it suggests the flaw may be widespread and potentially affect multiple aspects of the application's security model. Organizations running Sesamie 1.0 would be particularly vulnerable to this type of attack, as it essentially allows any remote attacker to enumerate and access other users' repositories without proper authorization. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in multi-user applications, where the failure to correctly validate user permissions can lead to complete compromise of user data and system integrity. This type of flaw would be particularly damaging in environments where sensitive information is stored, as it could potentially expose confidential data to unauthorized parties. The security implications also extend to potential data corruption and modification attacks, where attackers could not only read but also alter user content, potentially causing significant damage to the system's reliability and data integrity. Remediation efforts would need to focus on strengthening the access control mechanisms, implementing proper user authentication checks, and ensuring that repository access is properly isolated between different user accounts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive security testing, including access control testing and penetration testing of authentication mechanisms in web applications. Organizations should implement proper security controls including network segmentation, access logging, and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities. The issue also highlights the importance of keeping applications updated and patched, as such fundamental access control flaws are typically addressed through security updates and code modifications that properly enforce user isolation and repository access restrictions. This vulnerability type would be classified as a medium to high severity issue in modern security frameworks, as it directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of user data within the application environment. The flaw demonstrates how early-stage security considerations in application development are crucial for preventing unauthorized access to user resources, and represents a classic example of why security by design principles must be implemented from the initial development phases of any software system.