CVE-2005-1055 in TowerBlog
Summary
by MITRE
TowerBlog 0.6 and earlier stores the login data file under the web root, which allows remote attackers to obtain the MD5 checksums of the username and password via a direct request to the _dat/login file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1055 represents a critical misconfiguration issue within TowerBlog version 0.6 and earlier systems that exposes sensitive authentication data to remote attackers. This flaw stems from improper file placement and access control mechanisms within the web application's architecture, creating an avenue for unauthorized information disclosure that significantly undermines the system's security posture.
The technical flaw manifests through the insecure storage of authentication credentials within the web root directory structure. Specifically, the login data file named _dat/login is positioned in a location accessible via direct web requests rather than being properly secured within the application's protected directories. This configuration allows any remote attacker to directly request this file through a web browser or automated tools, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms and gaining immediate access to MD5 checksums of usernames and passwords stored in the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating a substantial risk for system compromise. When attackers obtain these MD5 checksums, they can attempt various attack vectors including dictionary attacks, brute force attempts, or utilize rainbow table lookups to reverse engineer the original passwords. The MD5 hashing algorithm, while not cryptographically secure for modern applications, still provides enough information for attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to user accounts, especially if weak passwords are used or if the system employs predictable password patterns.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference where the application exposes internal file paths through the web interface. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential access through the exploitation of weak or misconfigured authentication mechanisms. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires no sophisticated exploitation techniques beyond basic web request capabilities, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most critical immediate action involves moving the login data file outside the web root directory and implementing proper access controls through web server configuration or application-level authorization checks. Additionally, implementing proper file permissions and ensuring that sensitive data files are not directly accessible through the web interface prevents similar issues. Organizations should also consider implementing stronger hashing algorithms for password storage, such as bcrypt or PBKDF2, instead of relying on MD5, which provides better protection against modern attack methodologies. The implementation of proper input validation and access control mechanisms throughout the application architecture helps prevent similar misconfigurations from occurring in other components of the system.