CVE-2006-6974 in DeskPRO
Summary
by MITRE
Headstart Solutions DeskPRO stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to (1) list files in the includes/ directory; obtain the SQL username and password via a direct request for (2) config.php and (3) config.php.bak in includes/; read files in (4) email/, (5) admin/graphs/, (6) includes/javascript/, and (7) certain other includes/ directories via direct requests; and download SQL database data via direct requests for (8) data.sql, (9) install.sql, (10) settings.sql, and possibly other files in install/v2data/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2015
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6974 affects Headstart Solutions DeskPRO software, presenting a critical access control flaw that exposes sensitive system components to unauthorized remote access. This issue stems from improper file system permissions and inadequate access restrictions within the web application's directory structure, creating multiple attack vectors that collectively represent a severe security weakness. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 related to data from information repositories. The flaw allows attackers to enumerate and access sensitive files through direct HTTP requests, fundamentally compromising the application's security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through several specific attack vectors that demonstrate the complete breakdown of access control mechanisms. Remote attackers can directly request and retrieve configuration files including config.php and config.php.bak from the includes/ directory, thereby obtaining database credentials and other sensitive information. This direct access to database connection parameters creates an immediate pathway for attackers to establish database connections and potentially escalate their privileges. Additionally, the vulnerability permits access to various other sensitive directories including email/, admin/graphs/, includes/javascript/, and other includes/ subdirectories, allowing for comprehensive reconnaissance of the application's internal structure. The exposure of these directories enables attackers to gather information about the application's functionality, user data, and system configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass complete system compromise potential. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can download critical database dump files including data.sql, install.sql, and settings.sql, which contain sensitive user data, system configurations, and potentially intellectual property. This exposure creates multiple attack paths for malicious actors to exploit, including credential theft, data exfiltration, and system infiltration. The vulnerability effectively eliminates the application's ability to maintain confidentiality and integrity of its stored data, as all sensitive information remains accessible through unauthenticated direct requests. The impact is particularly severe given that the vulnerability affects the web root directory structure, meaning that attackers can access sensitive files without requiring any authentication or authorization.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the fundamental access control failures that enable the exploitation. Organizations should implement proper file system permissions and access controls, ensuring that sensitive configuration files and database dump files are not accessible through the web root directory. The recommended approach includes moving sensitive files outside of the web accessible directories and implementing proper authentication mechanisms for any administrative functions. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar access control issues. The mitigation efforts should align with security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, specifically addressing the principles of least privilege and defense in depth. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and access control lists to prevent direct access to sensitive directories and files, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access critical system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper directory structure management and access control implementation in web applications to prevent unauthorized information disclosure.