CVE-2006-2540 in Diesel Job Site
Summary
by MITRE
Privacy leak in install.php for Diesel PHP Job Site sends sensitive information such as user credentials to an e-mail address controlled by the product developers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2540 represents a critical privacy flaw in the Diesel PHP Job Site software that exposes sensitive user information during the installation process. This issue specifically affects the install.php script which is responsible for setting up the job site application. The flaw manifests when the installation process automatically sends user credentials and other sensitive data to email addresses maintained by the product developers rather than securely storing this information locally or prompting users for appropriate security measures.
This privacy leak occurs due to improper implementation of the installation routine where the system fails to properly sanitize or control the transmission of user-provided authentication details. The technical implementation flaw stems from the absence of proper input validation and secure data handling mechanisms within the install.php file. When users complete the installation process, their username and password information are automatically transmitted via email without any user consent or awareness, creating a significant security risk that violates fundamental principles of secure software development.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it creates a persistent backdoor for malicious actors who may gain access to the email accounts of the developers or system administrators. This flaw directly violates security standards such as those outlined in CWE-200, which addresses improper information exposure, and CWE-312, which covers cleartext storage of sensitive data. The vulnerability enables unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, and unauthorized modification of job listings or user information. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain persistent access to the job site and its associated user databases.
Organizations using this vulnerable software face significant compliance risks, particularly with regulations such as gdpr and pci dss that mandate proper handling of user credentials and sensitive information. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to establish long-term access to the system, as the email addresses of developers become potential attack vectors for further exploitation. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the vulnerable software, implementation of proper input validation controls, and modification of the installation process to prevent automatic credential transmission. Security measures should also include monitoring email traffic for unauthorized data exfiltration attempts and implementing proper access controls for developer email accounts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security reviews of all installation processes and ensure that sensitive information is never transmitted to external parties without explicit user consent and proper encryption mechanisms in place. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper information flow management during software installation processes, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through social engineering and T1078 for valid accounts usage.