CVE-2006-3371 in Foros
Summary
by MITRE
Eupla Foros 1.0 stores the inc/config.inc file under the web document root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information, including the database configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3371 affects Eupla Foros version 1.0, a web-based forum application that suffers from inadequate access control mechanisms. This flaw resides in the application's configuration file handling where the inc/config.inc file is placed within the web document root directory structure. The improper placement of this sensitive configuration file represents a fundamental security misconfiguration that exposes critical system information to unauthorized users. The web document root typically serves as the publicly accessible directory where web servers host files intended for client access, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit poorly secured configuration data. This vulnerability directly violates security best practices regarding the separation of sensitive system components from public web access paths.
The technical flaw manifests through the absence of proper access controls for the inc/config.inc file, which contains database connection parameters and other sensitive configuration details. When configuration files are stored in publicly accessible directories without appropriate permissions or access restrictions, remote attackers can directly access these files through standard web requests. The configuration file likely contains database credentials, connection strings, and other administrative information that could enable attackers to establish unauthorized database connections and potentially gain deeper access to the underlying system infrastructure. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization controls, where the system fails to properly verify access rights before granting file access, allowing any remote user to retrieve sensitive information through simple HTTP requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the foundational credentials needed for further exploitation attempts. Once an attacker obtains the database configuration details, they can potentially establish direct database connections, execute unauthorized queries, and access sensitive user data stored within the forum's database. This information disclosure vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other attack vectors. The exposure of database credentials enables attackers to perform data manipulation, information theft, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the system's security model, as it allows unauthorized access to critical system configuration data that should remain protected from public viewing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through proper file placement and access control implementation. The primary fix involves moving the inc/config.inc file outside the web document root directory and implementing appropriate file permissions that restrict access to authorized system processes only. Security controls should include setting proper file ownership and access permissions using standard unix file permission models or equivalent mechanisms on other operating systems. The system should also implement proper authentication and authorization checks for all configuration file access requests, ensuring that only legitimate administrative processes can access sensitive system files. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security audits to identify and remediate similar configuration issues across their web applications, following established security frameworks such as those outlined in the CWE database under category 272 which addresses insufficient authorization controls. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential access through information discovery and reconnaissance activities, making it a critical target for immediate remediation to prevent potential exploitation by threat actors.