CVE-2005-4371 in Acidcat
Summary
by MITRE
Acidcat 2.1.13 and earlier stores the database under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a request to databases/acidcat.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4371 represents a critical security flaw in Acidcat 2.1.13 and earlier versions that stems from improper access control mechanisms within the web application's file system management. This issue falls under the category of insecure direct object references as defined by CWE-434, where the application fails to properly validate user access to sensitive resources. The vulnerability specifically affects web applications that store database files within the web root directory structure, creating an exploitable path for unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the Acidcat application places its database file named acidcat.mdb in a directory that is accessible through the web server's document root. This configuration allows any remote attacker to directly request the database file through a simple http GET request to the path databases/acidcat.mdb without requiring any authentication or authorization checks. The vulnerability is classified as a path traversal issue under ATT&CK technique T1083, where adversaries can enumerate and access files that should normally be restricted. The database contains sensitive information including user credentials, application data, and potentially personal identifiable information that could be used for further exploitation or identity theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with immediate access to the entire database content without any authentication requirements. This exposure can lead to complete compromise of the application's data integrity and confidentiality, potentially resulting in unauthorized access to user accounts, financial information, or other sensitive data stored within the database. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core data storage mechanism of the application and can be exploited by any attacker with basic web browsing capabilities. Organizations using affected versions of Acidcat face risks of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to unauthorized data access. The attack surface is minimal since it only requires a simple HTTP request, making it highly exploitable and difficult to detect through standard network monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate implementation of proper access controls by moving database files outside the web root directory and ensuring that database files are not directly accessible through the web server. The application should implement authentication checks and authorization mechanisms before allowing any database access requests. Security patches should be applied to upgrade to versions of Acidcat that address this specific vulnerability. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers to prevent direct access to database files. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations in other applications. Organizations should also implement proper file permissions and access controls at the operating system level to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive files. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and proper configuration management as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, where inadequate access control represents one of the most critical security risks in web applications.