CVE-2005-2013 in paFAQ
Summary
by MITRE
paFAQ 1.0 Beta 4 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to admin/backup.php, which contains a backup of the database including usernames and passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2013 affects paFAQ version 1.0 Beta 4, a web-based FAQ management system that exposes critical security flaws through improper access controls. This vulnerability represents a classic case of information disclosure where remote attackers can directly access administrative components without proper authentication. The specific file admin/backup.php contains database backup information that includes sensitive user credentials, creating a significant risk for systems running this vulnerable software. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms that fail to properly authenticate users before granting access to administrative functions. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which describes the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through unsecured administrative interfaces. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no prior authentication and can be executed remotely, making it highly exploitable for malicious actors seeking to compromise systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where administrative backup files are stored in publicly accessible directories without proper access controls. When a remote attacker makes a direct request to admin/backup.php, the system serves the backup file containing database contents including plaintext usernames and passwords, effectively bypassing all authentication mechanisms. This exposure occurs because the application fails to implement proper authorization checks before serving administrative content, allowing any external party to retrieve sensitive data through simple HTTP requests. The backup file likely contains database schema information along with user credentials, creating a complete picture of the system's user base and authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that the backup contains passwords in plaintext format, eliminating any additional security layers that might otherwise protect against credential theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with complete access to user authentication credentials that can be used for lateral movement within networks. Once attackers obtain the database backup containing usernames and passwords, they can perform credential reuse attacks against other systems where users may have employed the same passwords. This creates a cascading security risk that can compromise multiple systems and services throughout an organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks, as administrators may have access to additional system resources beyond basic user accounts. Organizations running vulnerable paFAQ installations face potential data breaches, unauthorized system access, and compliance violations that can result in significant financial and reputational damage. The ease of exploitation means that this vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers with minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous in environments with limited security monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2013 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and access control implementations. The primary solution involves upgrading to a patched version of paFAQ that addresses the improper access controls and authentication mechanisms. Organizations should also implement proper directory permissions and access controls to prevent direct access to administrative files and backup directories. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to administrative interfaces to trusted IP addresses only. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to administrative paths and backup files. The implementation of strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication should be considered for administrative access, while password policies should be enforced to ensure that users employ strong, unique credentials. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. Organizations should also implement automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to protect against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.