CVE-2006-0314 in PDFdirectory
Summary
by MITRE
PDFdirectory before 1.0 stores sensitive data in plaintext, which allows remote attackers to obtain arbitrary users passwords by direct queries to the database, possibly via one of the SQL injection vulnerabilities.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0314 affects PDFdirectory versions prior to 1.0, representing a critical security flaw in how the application handles sensitive user authentication data. This weakness stems from the application's failure to implement proper data encryption mechanisms for storing user credentials within its database infrastructure. The flaw enables remote attackers to directly access and retrieve user passwords through unauthenticated database queries, fundamentally compromising the confidentiality and integrity of user authentication information. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of insecure data storage practices that have been consistently flagged by security frameworks and standards throughout the industry.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's database design and access controls that fail to encrypt sensitive fields containing user passwords. When users create accounts or update their credentials, the system stores this information in plaintext format without any form of cryptographic protection. The presence of SQL injection vulnerabilities within the application further amplifies the risk, as attackers can leverage these weaknesses to craft malicious database queries that directly target the password storage fields. This combination creates a particularly dangerous attack surface where an attacker can bypass normal authentication mechanisms and directly extract user credentials from the database backend. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling, and represents a classic example of poor secure coding practices that violate fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential theft, as it creates a persistent security risk for all users of the affected system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to obtain access to multiple user accounts simultaneously, potentially compromising entire user bases within organizations that rely on the vulnerable PDFdirectory application. The ability to perform direct database queries without authentication represents a severe violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's access control mechanisms. This vulnerability also creates potential for lateral movement within networks, as compromised credentials can be used to access other systems where users may have similar passwords, effectively creating a chain reaction of security breaches. The impact is particularly severe for organizations that store sensitive information in PDFdirectory systems, as the exposure of user credentials can lead to unauthorized access to confidential documents and data repositories.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of comprehensive security measures addressing both the immediate exposure and underlying architectural flaws. Organizations must implement robust database encryption mechanisms for all sensitive data fields, including user passwords, to prevent plaintext storage of authentication information. The application should be updated to version 1.0 or later, which presumably addresses these security concerns through proper encryption implementation and access controls. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries can help prevent SQL injection attacks that may be leveraged to exploit the plaintext storage vulnerability. Security controls should include database access logging and monitoring to detect unauthorized queries, while also implementing multi-factor authentication for privileged database access. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access, emphasizing the need for comprehensive monitoring and access control measures. The remediation process should also include regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.