CVE-2005-1427 in Uphotogallery
Summary
by MITRE
Uapplication Uphotogallery stores the database under the web document root, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to uphotogallery.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1427 represents a critical misconfiguration issue within the Uapplication photogallery web application that exposes sensitive database files to unauthorized access. This flaw stems from improper file placement and access control mechanisms that allow remote attackers to directly access database files through simple HTTP requests. The specific vulnerability occurs when the application stores its Microsoft Access database file uphotogallery.mdb within the web document root directory, making it directly accessible via web requests without proper authentication or authorization controls.
This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control and insecure configuration, which are commonly categorized under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-73 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output). The flaw demonstrates a fundamental lack of security awareness in the application's deployment configuration where sensitive data storage practices were not properly implemented. The web document root directory is designed to serve web content to users, but when database files are placed there without proper access restrictions, they become immediately accessible to anyone who knows the file path or can guess the filename.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information that may include user credentials, personal data, application configuration details, or other confidential information stored within the database. Since the database file is accessible via direct HTTP requests, attackers can simply navigate to the database file location and download the entire database contents, potentially exposing all users of the application to data breaches. This vulnerability essentially eliminates any form of access control for the database, making it trivial for attackers to exploit without requiring any special tools or complex attack vectors.
The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure to include potential data manipulation and system compromise. Attackers who gain access to the database can not only read sensitive information but may also be able to modify or delete data, depending on the database structure and permissions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 (Data from Information Repositories) and represents a classic example of how poor configuration management can lead to significant security risks. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal effort from attackers who can simply issue a direct request to access the database file, making it an attractive target for automated scanning tools and opportunistic attackers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on proper file placement and access control implementation. Database files should never be stored within the web document root directory, but rather in secure, non-web-accessible locations with proper file system permissions. The application should implement proper authentication and authorization mechanisms to control access to database resources, and any database access should be mediated through secure application interfaces rather than direct file access. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that no sensitive files are inadvertently exposed through web server configurations, and proper logging should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts to database files. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of following secure coding practices and proper security configuration management in web application deployment.