CVE-2006-1164 in Nodez
Summary
by MITRE
Nodez 4.6.1.1 and earlier stores sensitive data in the list.gtdat file under the web document root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain usernames and password hashes by directly accessing list.gtdat.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1164 affects Nodez versions 4.6.1.1 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in how sensitive authentication data is stored and protected. This issue resides in the web application's file system configuration where the list.gtdat file containing user credentials is placed within the web document root directory. The fundamental problem lies in the inadequate access control mechanisms that govern file permissions and directory access, creating an exploitable condition where unauthorized remote actors can directly retrieve sensitive information without authentication. The vulnerability represents a classic case of improper access control as classified under CWE-284, where the system fails to properly restrict access to sensitive resources. This misconfiguration allows attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures and directly access the file system to obtain username and password hash information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a straightforward approach where remote attackers can directly request the list.gtdat file through HTTP protocols, as it resides in the publicly accessible web document root. The absence of proper file system permissions and web server access controls means that any user with network access to the web server can retrieve this file, which contains hashed passwords and user account information. This flaw essentially eliminates the security boundary that should exist between the web application and sensitive data storage, creating an immediate risk for all users of the affected Nodez versions. The vulnerability can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically the use of unsecured credentials, as it allows adversaries to obtain authentication information through direct file access methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and immediate, as it provides attackers with direct access to user authentication data that can be used for various malicious activities. Once attackers obtain the password hashes, they can attempt offline password cracking using tools like John the Ripper or Hashcat, potentially compromising all user accounts. The vulnerability also enables credential stuffing attacks against other systems where users may have reused passwords, creating a broader security impact beyond the immediate application. Additionally, the compromised credentials can be used for privilege escalation within the application or for lateral movement within network environments where these accounts have access to additional systems. Organizations using affected Nodez versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential system compromise that could lead to complete application takeovers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most direct solution involves moving the list.gtdat file outside the web document root directory and implementing proper file system permissions that restrict access to only authorized processes and users. Organizations should implement web server configurations that prevent direct access to sensitive data files through URL-based access, utilizing proper directory permissions and access control lists. The implementation of proper secure coding practices and regular security audits can help prevent similar issues in the future. Security controls should include mandatory access control enforcement, file system permission reviews, and regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files and establish proper incident response procedures to handle potential exploitation of such vulnerabilities. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following security best practices and maintaining proper separation of concerns between web-accessible content and sensitive data storage.