CVE-2005-4249 in ADP Forum
Summary
by MITRE
ADP Forum 2.0 through 2.0.3 stores sensitive information in plaintext files under the web document root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain user credentials via requests to the forum/users directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4249 affects ADP Forum versions 2.0 through 2.0.3, representing a critical security flaw in the application's data handling and access control mechanisms. This issue stems from the improper storage of sensitive user credentials within plaintext files located within the web document root directory structure. The fundamental problem lies in the application's failure to implement proper access controls and encryption measures for storing authentication data, creating an exploitable condition that directly compromises user account security.
The technical implementation flaw manifests when the forum application stores user credentials in plain text format within the /forum/users directory path, which is accessible through standard web requests. This configuration violates basic security principles by placing sensitive authentication data in a location where it can be retrieved by any remote attacker without requiring authentication or authorization. The vulnerability specifically targets the web document root, which typically has public read access permissions, making the stored credentials immediately accessible to anyone capable of making HTTP requests to the affected directory structure. This weakness aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling and storage practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with immediate access to user accounts and potentially enables further exploitation within the compromised system. Remote attackers can simply navigate to the /forum/users directory and retrieve plaintext credential files, eliminating the need for complex attack vectors or additional reconnaissance. This vulnerability directly enables account takeover scenarios and can facilitate broader security breaches within organizations that rely on the affected forum application. The exposure of user credentials through this mechanism represents a significant compromise of the system's confidentiality and integrity assurances.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate storage issue and the underlying access control deficiencies. Organizations should immediately implement proper file access controls to prevent public access to credential storage directories, ensuring that sensitive files are stored outside the web document root or are protected by appropriate authentication mechanisms. The application should be updated to implement proper encryption for stored credentials and adopt secure password storage practices using salted hashing algorithms. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security reviews of all web applications to identify similar storage vulnerabilities and implement centralized access control policies. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security best practices outlined in frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which addresses credential access through unsecured storage mechanisms. The remediation process should also include implementing proper logging and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive directories.