CVE-2005-4880 in Guestbook
Summary
by MITRE
Jax Guestbook 3.1 and 3.31 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain IP addresses of users via a direct request to (1) guestbook, (2) guestbook_ips2block, (3) ips2block, and (4) formmailer/logfile.csv.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4880 affects Jax Guestbook versions 3.1 and 3.31, representing a critical security flaw in web application configuration and access control mechanisms. This issue stems from improper file placement and permission settings within the web server environment, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure that directly impacts user privacy and system security. The vulnerability specifically targets the storage of sensitive data in directories accessible through the web root, which violates fundamental security principles of data protection and access control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the insecure storage of user-related information in plain text files within web-accessible directories. Attackers can directly access four specific files through HTTP requests including guestbook, guestbook_ips2block, ips2block, and formmailer/logfile.csv, which contain IP address information of users who have interacted with the guestbook system. This represents a classic case of improper access control where sensitive data is stored without adequate protection mechanisms, allowing remote exploitation without authentication requirements. The flaw operates at the application level and demonstrates poor security architecture where sensitive data should be protected through proper access controls and file permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. When attackers obtain user IP addresses, they can correlate this information with other data sources to build profiles of system users, potentially enabling social engineering attacks, targeted phishing campaigns, or further reconnaissance activities. The exposure of IP addresses also compromises user anonymity and privacy, which may violate privacy regulations and organizational security policies. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where sensitive data should not be accessible through simple web requests without proper authorization checks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper access control measures and secure file management practices. System administrators should relocate sensitive data files outside the web root directory structure and implement proper file permissions that prevent direct web access to sensitive information. Additionally, the application should be updated to version 3.32 or later, which addresses this specific access control flaw. Security measures should include implementing authentication checks for any file access requests and ensuring that all sensitive data is protected through proper encryption and access control mechanisms. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and proper input validation to prevent similar issues in web applications. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks and principles including those outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework where information gathering techniques can be mitigated through proper access control implementation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files.