CVE-2005-0409 in CitrusDB
Summary
by MITRE
CitrusDB 0.3.6 and earlier does not verify authorization for the (1) importcc.php and (2) uploadcc.php, which allows remote attackers to upload credit card data and obtain sensitive information such as the pathnames for temporary files that store credit card data, and facilitates the exploitation of other vulnerabilities.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0409 affects CitrusDB versions 0.3.6 and earlier, presenting a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of credit card data handling systems. This weakness resides in two specific PHP scripts importcc.php and uploadcc.php which fail to implement proper access controls, creating an avenue for unauthorized remote attackers to exploit the system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and represents a classic case of inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms that are fundamental to secure software development practices.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of authentication verification within the credit card data import and upload functionalities, allowing malicious actors to bypass normal security protocols. When remote attackers access these vulnerable scripts, they can upload credit card information without proper authorization, while simultaneously gaining access to sensitive metadata including temporary file pathnames where credit card data is stored. This dual exploitation capability significantly amplifies the risk, as it not only enables data exfiltration but also provides attackers with detailed information about the system's internal structure and data handling processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized data access, creating a foundation for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised environment. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can leverage the exposed temporary file paths to conduct further reconnaissance, potentially identifying additional system vulnerabilities or targeting other components that store sensitive information. The exposure of temporary file locations also enables attackers to craft targeted attacks against specific file system locations, increasing the probability of successful exploitation of related vulnerabilities. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the failure to properly restrict access to sensitive functions.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1078 Valid Accounts for initial access and T1566 Phishing for initial compromise, while also supporting T1041 Exfiltration Over C2 Channel through the unauthorized data transfer capabilities. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the principle of least privilege, as the affected scripts operate without proper authorization checks, allowing any remote user to perform sensitive operations. Organizations implementing CitrusDB systems face significant regulatory compliance risks, particularly under PCI DSS standards which mandate strict controls over cardholder data access and processing. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security architecture practices that should be addressed through comprehensive code reviews and security testing protocols.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate implementation of proper authentication and authorization controls for all data import and upload functions. System administrators should ensure that all PHP scripts handling sensitive data implement robust access control mechanisms, including proper user authentication, role-based access controls, and input validation. The remediation process requires thorough code auditing to identify and address similar authorization flaws across the application. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system components. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify and remediate similar authorization flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors, aligning with industry best practices established in NIST SP 800-53 security controls.