CVE-2007-0096 in Carbon Communities
Summary
by MITRE
CarbonCommunities stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a database containing passwords via a direct request for DataBase/Carbon2.4d.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0096 represents a critical security flaw in CarbonCommunities software that exposes sensitive data through improper access control mechanisms. This issue stems from the application's failure to implement adequate authorization checks when serving files located within the web root directory structure. The vulnerability specifically affects the database file Carbon2.4d.mdb which contains password information and other sensitive credentials. The flaw exists because the application does not verify whether authenticated users have proper permissions before serving the database file, creating an avenue for unauthorized access through direct URL manipulation.
This security weakness falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and specifically relates to CWE-284 which addresses "Improper Access Control" in software applications. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to exploit the application's lack of access restrictions by simply constructing a direct request to the database file path. The attacker does not require any valid credentials or authentication tokens to access the sensitive database file, making this a particularly dangerous flaw that can be exploited from any network location without prior authorization. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture where sensitive information is stored in a location that is publicly accessible without proper access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed database contains password information that could be used for further attacks within the compromised environment. Attackers can directly download the database file and extract credentials, potentially gaining access to user accounts, administrative privileges, and other sensitive information stored within the CarbonCommunities system. This exposure creates a significant risk for organizations using the affected software, as it provides attackers with immediate access to authentication credentials without requiring any additional exploitation techniques. The vulnerability essentially eliminates the need for complex attack vectors that would normally be required to obtain such sensitive information.
The primary mitigation strategy involves implementing proper access control mechanisms that ensure only authorized users can access sensitive database files. Organizations should immediately relocate sensitive database files outside of the web root directory and implement robust authentication and authorization checks for all file access requests. The application should enforce proper access control policies that verify user credentials and permissions before serving any sensitive data files. Additionally, security headers should be implemented to prevent direct access to database files, and proper logging mechanisms should be established to monitor access attempts to sensitive resources. This vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. The flaw also highlights the need for regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar access control weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors.