CVE-2005-3728 in Revize CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Idetix Software Systems Revize CMS stores conf/revize.xml under the web document root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive configuration information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3728 represents a critical access control flaw within the Idetix Software Systems Revize CMS platform that has significant implications for web application security. This issue stems from the improper configuration of sensitive system files that are inadvertently exposed to unauthorized users through the web document root directory structure. The specific file affected is conf/revize.xml which contains critical configuration data that should remain protected from public access. This misconfiguration allows remote attackers to directly retrieve this sensitive information without authentication or authorization, creating a substantial security risk for organizations relying on this content management system.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure in proper file system permissions and web server configuration that results in the exposure of administrative configuration files. The conf/revize.xml file likely contains database connection strings, administrative credentials, encryption keys, and other sensitive parameters that are essential for the proper operation of the CMS. When such files are placed within the web document root without appropriate access controls, they become immediately accessible to any remote user who can navigate to the specific URL path. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as it provides attackers with information that could be leveraged for further exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed configuration data can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers who obtain this sensitive information can potentially use database credentials to directly access backend systems, or leverage encryption keys to decrypt sensitive communications. The exposure of administrative parameters may enable privilege escalation attacks or provide insights into the system architecture that could be used for targeted exploitation. This vulnerability also creates compliance issues for organizations that must adhere to security standards such as pci dss, hipaa, or iso 27001, as the disclosure of configuration information constitutes a breach of data protection requirements.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including moving sensitive configuration files outside the web document root directory, implementing proper file system permissions, and configuring web server access controls to prevent direct access to configuration directories. The solution involves establishing a clear separation between publicly accessible web content and sensitive administrative files, ensuring that configuration data remains protected through proper access control mechanisms. This remediation aligns with the principles outlined in the mitre attack framework under the initial access and credential access tactics, where the exposure of configuration data represents a vector for credential theft and system compromise. Additionally, this vulnerability corresponds to CWE-275 permission issues, specifically addressing inadequate file permissions and access control mechanisms. Regular security assessments should include verification of file system permissions and web server configurations to prevent similar issues from emerging in the future, ensuring compliance with industry best practices for web application security management.