CVE-2006-3487 in VirtuaStore
Summary
by MITRE
VirtuaStore 2.0 stores sensitive files under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain local database information by directly accessing database/virtuastore.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3487 affects VirtuaStore 2.0, a web-based e-commerce platform that suffers from improper file access control mechanisms. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's architecture where sensitive database files are improperly positioned within the web server's document root directory structure. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper access controls and directory permissions that would normally prevent unauthorized access to sensitive backend resources. When database files are stored directly within the web root, they become immediately accessible to any user who can navigate to the appropriate URL path, fundamentally undermining the security model of the application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through direct network access to the database file location, specifically targeting the virtuastore.mdb file which contains local database information. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference vulnerability, where the application fails to properly validate access requests to sensitive resources. The flaw allows remote attackers to bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms simply by knowing the file path and accessing it directly through a web browser or HTTP client. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-22, which addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Information Repositories. The database file contains sensitive information including user credentials, transaction records, and other proprietary data that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially exposing organizations to data breaches, identity theft, and financial fraud. Attackers can directly extract database contents without requiring any valid authentication credentials, making this a particularly dangerous flaw that can be exploited by anyone with network access to the affected system. The exposure of database information creates cascading security risks, as stolen credentials can be used for further attacks within the organization's network infrastructure. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as sensitive data is not properly isolated from public access. This weakness can be exploited by automated scanning tools, making it particularly dangerous in environments where systems are exposed to the internet without proper network segmentation or access controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate exposure and the underlying architectural issues that allowed the problem to exist. The primary remediation involves moving sensitive database files outside of the web root directory and implementing proper access controls using web server configuration directives such as Apache's AllowOverride settings or IIS's directory permissions. Organizations should implement proper file access controls using mechanisms like .htaccess files or equivalent server configuration files to restrict access to sensitive directories. Additionally, the application should be updated to use proper database connection methods that do not expose database files directly through web access. Security best practices recommend implementing role-based access control, proper authentication mechanisms, and regular security audits to prevent similar issues. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting thorough security testing during application development to identify and remediate such flaws before deployment. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for attempts to access sensitive files through direct object references.