CVE-2005-2229 in Blog Torrent
Summary
by MITRE
Blog Torrent 0.92 and earlier stores sensitive files under the web document root in the (1) data or (2) torrents directories with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information such as account names and password hashes, as demonstrated using data/newusers.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2229 represents a critical misconfiguration issue within Blog Torrent version 0.92 and earlier systems that fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected deployments. This flaw exists in the application's file storage and access control mechanisms, where sensitive user data is inadvertently exposed through improper directory permissions and inadequate access restrictions. The vulnerability specifically impacts two primary directories within the application's file structure: the data directory and the torrents directory, both of which are positioned within the web document root, creating a direct pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly enforce access controls on sensitive files stored within these directories. When Blog Torrent versions 0.92 and earlier create files such as data/newusers, they do so in locations that are directly accessible through the web server's document root, without implementing proper authentication checks or access control mechanisms. This configuration allows remote attackers to directly request and retrieve these sensitive files through standard web browsing mechanisms, bypassing any intended application-level security controls. The specific file mentioned in the vulnerability description, data/newusers, contains account names and password hashes, making it particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with credentials that can be used for unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially escalate privileges within the system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations deploying Blog Torrent systems, as it enables attackers to obtain complete user credential databases without requiring any special privileges or sophisticated attack vectors. The exposure of password hashes specifically violates fundamental security principles of credential protection and can lead to widespread account compromise across the affected user base. Attackers can leverage this information to perform credential stuffing attacks against other services, gain unauthorized access to user accounts, and potentially move laterally within network environments where these accounts might have elevated privileges. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system or local network presence.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate exposure issue and the underlying architectural flaws that allowed such poor security practices to exist. Organizations should immediately relocate sensitive directories outside of the web document root to prevent direct web access to credential files and user data. Implementing proper access controls through web server configuration files or application-level access control mechanisms can further restrict access to these sensitive directories. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that no sensitive files are stored in web-accessible locations and that proper file permissions are enforced. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-275 permissions issues and represents a classic case of inadequate access control as outlined in the CWE database. The attack pattern follows the traditional reconnaissance and credential harvesting methodology described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically categorized under credential access techniques where adversaries seek to obtain credentials for unauthorized access to systems and data. Organizations should implement proper file system security controls, including regular permission reviews, secure configuration management, and comprehensive security testing to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other applications within their environment.