CVE-2005-0694 in Hosting Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Hosting Controller 6.1 Hotfix 1.7 and earlier stores log files under the web root, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to HCDiskQuotaService.csv.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0694 affects Hosting Controller 6.1 Hotfix 1.7 and earlier versions, presenting a critical information disclosure risk through improper file placement within the web application's directory structure. This flaw stems from the application's design decision to store sensitive log files directly under the web root directory, creating an accessible attack surface that remote adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the placement of log files containing sensitive data in directories that are publicly accessible through web requests. Specifically, the HCDiskQuotaService.csv file serves as the primary vector for information disclosure, as it contains structured data related to disk quotas and potentially other system metrics that could reveal operational details about the hosting environment. This configuration violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper segregation of sensitive data from publicly accessible resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed log files may contain sensitive operational data including user account information, system configurations, and potentially authentication-related details that could facilitate further attacks. Attackers could leverage this access to gather intelligence about the hosting infrastructure, identify potential targets for privilege escalation, or develop more sophisticated attack vectors based on the discovered system information. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference, where the application fails to properly validate access controls for sensitive resources.
This flaw aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-532, which addresses information exposure through log data. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which involves data from information repositories, and T1083, which covers file and directory discovery. The insecure storage of log files under the web root creates an attack surface that directly enables these reconnaissance and information gathering activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through proper file placement and access control implementation. Organizations should relocate sensitive log files to directories outside the web root and implement proper access controls using web server configuration directives or application-level authentication mechanisms. The recommended approach involves configuring the web server to deny direct access to log file directories while ensuring that legitimate administrative access remains available through secure channels. Additionally, implementing proper log rotation and secure log management practices can help reduce the risk of sensitive information exposure in case of similar misconfigurations. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future releases of the hosting controller software.