CVE-2006-6449 in Vt-Forum Lite
Summary
by MITRE
Vt-Forum Lite 1.3 and earlier store sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a database via a direct request for db/forum.mdb. NOTE: The provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2017
This vulnerability affects Vt-Forum Lite versions 1.3 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in web application design that exposes sensitive database files to unauthorized access. The vulnerability stems from improper configuration of file permissions and access controls within the web server environment, allowing remote attackers to directly access database files through simple HTTP requests. The specific file targeted is db/forum.mdb which contains forum data including user credentials, posts, and potentially sensitive information that should remain protected from public access.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-275 permissions issues, where applications fail to properly restrict access to sensitive resources. This vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege, where database files are stored in publicly accessible directories without proper authentication or authorization mechanisms. The attack vector is straightforward - an attacker simply needs to know the path to the database file and can retrieve it directly through a web browser or automated tool, bypassing any application-level security controls that might otherwise protect the data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, encompassing data exposure, potential credential theft, and system compromise. When an attacker successfully downloads the database file, they gain access to all forum data including user accounts, personal information, and potentially administrative credentials. This exposure creates opportunities for identity theft, social engineering attacks, and further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to the organization's reputation and compliance with data protection regulations, as sensitive user information becomes publicly accessible.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) for reconnaissance activities, followed by T1046 (Network Service Scanning) and T1041 (Exfiltration) for data extraction. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including moving database files outside of web-accessible directories, implementing proper access controls through web server configuration, and establishing regular security audits to identify similar misconfigurations. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management practices and adherence to security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten, which specifically addresses insecure direct object references as a critical security concern. The remediation process requires comprehensive review of all web application file permissions, implementation of proper authentication mechanisms, and establishment of automated monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive resources.