CVE-2005-2677 in ACNews
Summary
by MITRE
ACNews stores the database in a file under the web document root with a db.inc extension and insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information such as the full pathname of the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2677 affects ACNews, a web-based news management system that demonstrates a critical flaw in access control mechanisms and information disclosure practices. This vulnerability resides in the system's handling of database files within the web document root directory structure, where sensitive configuration information is exposed through improper file placement and access permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from ACNews storing its database file with the extension db.inc in a location accessible through the web server's document root. This placement creates a fundamental security misconfiguration where the database file becomes accessible to remote attackers without proper authentication or authorization checks. The db.inc file contains sensitive information including the full pathname of the server, which represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited to gather intelligence about the target system's configuration and deployment environment.
This flaw directly maps to CWE-200, which defines information exposure vulnerabilities where systems inadvertently disclose sensitive information to unauthorized users. The vulnerability enables attackers to obtain the complete server path, which can serve as a foundation for further exploitation attempts including path traversal attacks, directory listing enumeration, and system reconnaissance. The exposure of the full pathname provides attackers with crucial information about the server's filesystem structure, potentially revealing version information, configuration details, and other sensitive metadata that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a significant attack surface for potential exploitation. Remote attackers can utilize the disclosed path information to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting specific system components or to bypass certain security controls that might be in place. The vulnerability represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where sensitive system configuration data is exposed without proper access controls or authentication requirements.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation of the file placement issue by moving the database file outside the web document root and implementing proper access controls. Organizations should enforce strict file permission settings to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files. The implementation of proper authentication mechanisms and authorization checks for accessing database files represents a fundamental security control that addresses the root cause of this vulnerability. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations in web applications.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which describes the exploitation of information exposure vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive data. The disclosure of server path information through improper file placement demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration errors can create significant security risks. Security practitioners should implement comprehensive web application security testing procedures that include checking for sensitive file exposure and proper access control implementation to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in web applications.