CVE-2006-5492 in Maarch
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Maerys Archive (Maarch) before 2.0.1 allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information (document contents) via unspecified attack vectors related to "grants."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5492 affects Maerys Archive (Maarch) software versions prior to 2.0.1, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that undermines the system's access control mechanisms. This unspecified vulnerability specifically targets the grant management functionality within the application, creating a pathway for remote authenticated attackers to access document contents that should remain protected. The flaw exists in the permission handling system where proper access controls fail to validate user privileges adequately during document retrieval operations. Such vulnerabilities typically stem from inadequate input validation and insufficient authorization checks that allow malicious users to escalate their privileges or bypass security restrictions through carefully crafted requests. The vulnerability's classification as information disclosure aligns with CWE-200, which covers improper information exposure, and represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege that should govern all access control systems. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive organizational information, potentially compromising business operations and regulatory compliance requirements. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can leverage their authenticated status to access documents they should not be authorized to view, effectively undermining the integrity of the entire document management system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves weaknesses in the grant-based access control implementation where the system fails to properly enforce document access restrictions. When authenticated users make requests for documents, the system should verify that the requesting user has appropriate permissions based on their assigned grants or roles. However, the flaw allows attackers to manipulate or bypass these verification processes, potentially through parameter manipulation or by exploiting inconsistencies in how access rights are checked against document ownership or group memberships. The unspecified attack vectors suggest that multiple pathways may exist for exploitation, including but not limited to direct manipulation of access control parameters, session hijacking, or leveraging legitimate access to craft requests that circumvent normal authorization checks. This type of vulnerability often manifests in systems where access control decisions are made in a centralized but flawed manner, where the system fails to properly validate or enforce access policies consistently across all document retrieval operations. The vulnerability may also indicate poor separation of concerns in the application architecture where access control logic is not properly isolated from business logic, allowing unauthorized access to propagate through the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-5492 extends far beyond immediate data exposure, potentially causing significant business disruption and regulatory violations for organizations relying on Maerys Archive for document management. Unauthorized access to sensitive documents can lead to intellectual property theft, compliance violations, and damage to organizational reputation, particularly when dealing with confidential business records, personal data, or regulated information. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from outside the organization's network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for systems with remote access capabilities. Organizations may face legal consequences and financial penalties if sensitive information is compromised through such vulnerabilities, especially in regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, or government sectors. The flaw can also facilitate further attacks by providing attackers with information that could be used to plan more sophisticated exploitation attempts or to identify additional system weaknesses. The vulnerability's presence in pre-2.0.1 versions indicates that this was likely a known issue that was addressed through proper security updates, highlighting the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust vulnerability management processes. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges, making it an attractive target for both internal and external threat actors seeking to access sensitive organizational data.
Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including upgrading to Maerys Archive version 2.0.1 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other systems running vulnerable versions of the software and ensure all instances are updated promptly. Access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, including implementing principle of least privilege, regular access audits, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and highlights the need for regular security testing, including penetration testing and code reviews focused on authentication and authorization mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as privilege escalation and credential access, where attackers leverage system weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's resolution should include thorough testing of access control mechanisms to ensure that the fix properly addresses all potential attack vectors and does not introduce new security issues. Regular security training for system administrators and developers should emphasize the importance of proper access control design and the potential consequences of inadequate privilege management. Additionally, organizations should establish robust incident response procedures that include specific protocols for handling information disclosure vulnerabilities and conducting forensic analysis to determine the full scope of any potential compromise.