CVE-2005-1647 in Gurgens Guest Book
Summary
by MITRE
Gurgens (GASoft) Guest Book 2.1 stores the db/Genid.dat database file under the web document root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain and decrypt usernames and passwords.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1647 represents a critical access control flaw in the Gurgens (GASoft) Guest Book 2.1 application that exposes sensitive authentication data to remote attackers. This issue stems from improper file placement and permission configuration within the web server environment, creating an exploitable condition that directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and secure configuration management. The database file db/Genid.dat containing user credentials is stored in a location accessible through standard web requests, eliminating the necessary barriers that should protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
The technical implementation flaw involves the application's failure to properly secure database files within the web document root directory structure. This configuration allows attackers to directly request and retrieve the Genid.dat file through HTTP methods, bypassing any intended access controls or authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the database storage location where user credentials are stored in an unencrypted format, making the information immediately accessible upon successful file retrieval. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference where the application exposes internal file paths directly to external users without proper authorization checks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to obtain complete user credential information including usernames and passwords, potentially leading to unauthorized access to the guest book administration functions and underlying system resources. The ability to decrypt credentials through direct file access demonstrates a significant compromise of the application's security model, as it allows attackers to escalate privileges and gain persistent access to the system. This vulnerability directly affects the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the security triad, as it enables unauthorized data access and potential system compromise.
The flaw aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-264 (Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls) categories, representing a fundamental misconfiguration that violates secure coding practices and access control principles. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can leverage obtained credentials to maintain access and potentially expand their attack surface. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including moving sensitive database files outside the web document root, implementing proper access controls, and ensuring file permissions are configured to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data files.
Recommended remediation strategies include relocating the database file to a secure directory outside the web root, implementing proper file permissions that restrict access to authorized processes only, and conducting comprehensive security audits to identify similar misconfigurations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper secure configuration management and demonstrates how simple misconfigurations can lead to complete credential compromise. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and establish secure development practices that prevent similar issues in future applications. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate such access control vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.