CVE-2006-4772 in HotPlug CMS
Summary
by MITRE
HotPlug CMS stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to read the admin password and database credentials via a direct request for includes/class/config.inc.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4772 represents a critical misconfiguration in HotPlug CMS that exposes sensitive system information through inadequate access controls. This flaw resides in the web application's file structure where administrative credentials and database connection parameters are stored in locations accessible to unauthenticated users. The specific file path includes/class/config.inc serves as the attack vector, allowing remote adversaries to directly request this configuration file and obtain privileged information without proper authentication.
This vulnerability manifests as a classic case of insecure file permissions and improper access control mechanisms within the web application framework. The flaw stems from the application's failure to implement proper authorization checks before serving sensitive configuration files that contain administrative passwords and database credentials. According to CWE-284, this represents an inadequate access control vulnerability where the system grants access to resources beyond what is intended for unauthenticated users. The misconfiguration creates an information disclosure scenario that directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper resource access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with immediate access to administrative credentials that can be used to gain full control over the CMS installation. Once an attacker obtains the database credentials, they can potentially access, modify, or exfiltrate all content stored within the system. The exposure of administrative passwords enables unauthorized users to perform administrative functions including user management, content modification, and system configuration changes. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential access through the exploitation of weak access controls and information disclosure vulnerabilities.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass complete system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges and move laterally within the network infrastructure. The configuration file typically contains not only administrative passwords but also database connection strings, which may include database usernames, passwords, and connection endpoints. This information can be used to establish direct database connections and potentially exploit additional vulnerabilities within the database system itself.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4772 require immediate implementation of proper access controls and file permission configurations. System administrators should relocate sensitive configuration files outside the web root directory and ensure that all sensitive files are protected by appropriate access controls. The recommended approach involves implementing proper file permissions that restrict access to configuration files to only authorized system processes and users. Additionally, web server configurations should be reviewed to ensure that sensitive directories and files cannot be accessed through direct URL requests. According to security best practices, all sensitive information should be stored in secure locations that are not directly accessible through the web server, thereby preventing unauthorized access through simple HTTP requests. Regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations that could expose sensitive system information to unauthorized parties.