CVE-2006-6377 in Uploadscript
Summary
by MITRE
Uploadscript 1.2 and earlier stores sensitive data under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain the admin password hash via a direct request for /password.txt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-6377 represents a critical security flaw in Uploadscript versions 1.2 and earlier, where sensitive system information is improperly stored within the web accessible directory structure. This misconfiguration creates a direct pathway for remote attackers to obtain administrative credentials without requiring any authentication or privileged access. The specific file /password.txt contains the admin password hash, which when exposed through the web root directory, provides attackers with immediate access to the administrative interface of the vulnerable system.
This vulnerability fundamentally violates core security principles regarding information hiding and access control, as sensitive data is stored in a location that is publicly accessible through standard web protocols. The flaw exists due to insufficient access control mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file access based on user privileges or system requirements. According to CWE-200, this represents a weakness where sensitive information is exposed to unauthorized parties, while the improper storage of credentials in web-accessible directories aligns with CWE-732, which describes inadequate permissions for critical security resources. The vulnerability creates a direct attack surface that enables credential theft and subsequent unauthorized access to administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely and gain administrative control over the affected system. Once the password hash is obtained, attackers can attempt offline password cracking using various techniques such as rainbow table attacks or brute force methods, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability also enables further exploitation through privilege escalation attacks, as administrative access provides extensive control over system configurations, user accounts, and sensitive data repositories. This weakness can facilitate data exfiltration, system modification, and establishment of persistent backdoors within the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary fix involves removing or relocating sensitive files such as /password.txt outside the web root directory and implementing proper access controls through web server configuration. Organizations should also implement file permission restrictions that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system files, ensuring that only authorized processes can read authentication-related data. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566, which covers credential access through unauthorized access to system files, and T1078, which covers legitimate credentials usage. Additional measures include implementing regular security audits to identify misconfigured files, deploying web application firewalls to monitor for direct file access attempts, and establishing proper logging mechanisms to detect and respond to unauthorized access attempts against sensitive system resources.