CVE-2006-3483 in PHPMailList
Summary
by MITRE
PHPMailList 1.8.0 stores sensitive information under the web document root iwth insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain email addresses of subscribers, configuration information, and the admin username and password via direct requests to (1) list.dat or (2) ml_config.dat.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3483 represents a critical misconfiguration issue within PHPMailList version 1.8.0 that exposes sensitive data through inadequate access controls. This flaw falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-284, where the application fails to properly restrict access to sensitive files stored in the web document root. The vulnerability specifically affects the storage of subscriber email addresses, configuration details, and administrative credentials in files named list.dat and ml_config.dat, which are accessible through direct web requests without proper authentication mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers can directly access these sensitive data files through standard http requests to the web server. The improper storage of credentials and subscriber information in the web root directory creates a fundamental security flaw where sensitive data that should be protected remains publicly accessible. This misconfiguration allows attackers to obtain not only email addresses of subscribers but also administrative usernames and passwords, which could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and proper data protection practices that should be implemented in any web application handling user information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable full system compromise through credential reuse attacks. Attackers who obtain the administrative credentials can perform unauthorized actions including modifying subscriber lists, changing system configurations, and potentially using these credentials for lateral movement within network environments. The exposure of subscriber email addresses also creates opportunities for social engineering attacks, spam campaigns, and phishing operations that can target the individuals whose information was compromised. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper file permissions and secure storage practices for sensitive data in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through proper file access controls and secure configuration management. Organizations should ensure that sensitive data files are stored outside the web document root directory and that appropriate access controls are implemented to prevent direct web access to configuration and data files. The implementation of proper authentication mechanisms and authorization checks should be enforced for all sensitive data access points. This vulnerability highlights the necessity of following security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the protection of sensitive data and proper access control implementation. Regular security audits and configuration reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations that could expose sensitive information to unauthorized access. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even simple applications can present significant security risks when proper security principles are not applied during development and deployment phases.