CVE-2006-6253 in Cahier De Textes
Summary
by MITRE
Cahier de texte 2.0 stores sensitive information under the web root, possibly with insufficient access control, which might allow remote attackers to obtain all users passwords via a direct request for administration/dump.sql.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-6253 represents a critical security flaw in the Cahier de texte 2.0 web application that exposes sensitive user credentials through improper file placement and access control mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper access control, as outlined in CWE-284. The application stores database dump files containing user passwords directly within the web root directory structure, making them accessible to any remote attacker who can construct the appropriate URL request.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to enforce proper access controls on sensitive files located in publicly accessible directories. When attackers access the specific path administration/dump.sql, they can retrieve the entire database dump file that contains hashed passwords and potentially other user information. This misconfiguration creates an attack surface where authentication credentials are exposed without any form of authorization checking or authentication requirements. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of secure web application design principles where sensitive data should never be stored in directories accessible to unauthenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using this application. Remote attackers can obtain all user passwords in a single request, potentially compromising the entire user base of the application. This exposure enables attackers to perform credential reuse attacks across multiple systems, conduct further reconnaissance, and potentially escalate privileges within the network. The vulnerability also creates a pathway for attackers to extract additional sensitive information that might be contained within the database dump, including user personal information, system configurations, and potentially other credentials or authentication tokens. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access and reconnaissance phases, where adversaries seek to obtain credentials for persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate exposure and the underlying architectural issues. Organizations should immediately move sensitive database dump files and other critical data outside the web root directory and implement proper access controls using authentication mechanisms before allowing access to any sensitive files. The application should enforce role-based access control where only authorized administrative users can access database management functions. Additionally, implementing proper file permissions, regular security audits, and automated vulnerability scanning can help prevent similar issues. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious requests targeting known sensitive paths, and establish proper logging and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure configuration management and the principle of least privilege in web application security.