CVE-2005-1220 in Shoutbox SCRIPT
Summary
by MITRE
Shoutbox SCRIPT 3.0.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to db/settings.dat, which displays usernames and password hashes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1220 affects Shoutbox SCRIPT version 3.0.2 and earlier, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive authentication data. This vulnerability resides in the web application's improper access control mechanisms, where the application fails to implement adequate authorization checks for accessing critical configuration files. The specific file db/settings.dat contains user credentials in hashed format, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise user accounts and gain unauthorized access to the system. This issue demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where sensitive data is stored in a location that can be directly accessed without proper authentication or authorization verification.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a straightforward direct HTTP request to the db/settings.dat file, bypassing any normal application authentication flows. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a classic example of improper access control that allows unauthorized users to retrieve sensitive information. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input validation and access control mechanisms, allowing attackers to directly access files that should only be accessible to authorized administrators or system processes. The exposure of password hashes in this context represents a significant security risk as these hashes can potentially be cracked using various attack methodologies including rainbow table attacks or brute force techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposure of password hashes can lead to account compromise and subsequent unauthorized access to the entire system. Attackers can leverage the retrieved information to perform credential stuffing attacks across multiple systems, conduct targeted social engineering campaigns, or use the hashes in offline cracking operations to obtain plaintext passwords. This vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the system, as it allows unauthorized parties to gain access to authentication data that should remain protected. The exposure of usernames alongside password hashes provides attackers with complete information needed to perform targeted attacks against specific users, potentially leading to privilege escalation and further system compromise. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where the application does not properly restrict access to sensitive data files.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and input validation mechanisms. The application should be updated to version 3.0.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to prevent direct access to sensitive files. Administrators should implement proper file access controls, ensuring that configuration files containing sensitive information are stored outside the web root directory or are protected by appropriate access controls. The system should enforce proper authentication and authorization checks for all file access requests, implementing a robust access control list that prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data. Additionally, security measures such as web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block direct requests to sensitive files, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar access control flaws. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which focuses on credential access through the exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities, and represents a critical weakness that requires immediate remediation to protect against unauthorized access and potential system compromise.