CVE-2006-6351 in KhaledMuratList
Summary
by MITRE
KhaledMuratList stores sensitive data under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a database via a direct request for (1) CL2F9R1A2C1N.mdb or (2) Data2F9R1A2C1N.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2017
This vulnerability represents a critical misconfiguration in web application security that directly violates fundamental principles of data protection and access control. The issue stems from improper file placement where sensitive database files are stored in directories accessible through the web root, creating an attack surface that allows unauthorized remote access. The vulnerability specifically affects applications that store Microsoft Access database files containing sensitive information, with the attack vector targeting two specific database filenames that follow a predictable naming convention. This misconfiguration enables attackers to bypass normal application authentication and authorization mechanisms by directly requesting database files through HTTP requests.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure to implement proper access controls for sensitive data storage, which aligns with CWE-275 permission issues and CWE-73 path traversal vulnerabilities. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting direct HTTP requests to access the database files without requiring valid credentials or proper authentication. The predictable filename patterns CL2F9R1A2C1N.mdb and Data2F9R1A2C1N.mdb suggest poor security practices in naming conventions and lack of randomization in database file naming, which further compounds the vulnerability. This configuration essentially provides a backdoor access point to the database content through standard web protocols, eliminating the need for complex exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it can result in complete data compromise including user credentials, personal information, financial records, and other sensitive business data. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations under standards such as gdpr, hipaa, and pci dss when such vulnerabilities exist in their systems. The vulnerability enables data exfiltration at scale, potentially exposing thousands of user records and business-critical information. Additionally, the compromise of database files can lead to further exploitation opportunities including privilege escalation, data manipulation, and potential system compromise through the exposure of database connection strings and other sensitive configuration data. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques in the mitre att&ck framework under initial access and credential access domains, where adversaries can leverage weak access controls to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues. The primary fix involves moving database files outside the web root directory and implementing proper access controls through web server configuration or application-level authorization checks. Organizations should implement principle of least privilege access controls, ensure database files are not directly accessible through web protocols, and employ proper file permission settings. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block direct database file access attempts, randomizing database filenames, and conducting regular security assessments to identify misconfigured files. The remediation should also include establishing secure coding practices and configuration management procedures to prevent future occurrences of similar vulnerabilities.