CVE-2007-0152 in database
Summary
by MITRE
OhhASP 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 db/OhhASP.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0152 represents a critical security flaw in the OhhASP web application that fundamentally compromises the confidentiality and integrity of stored sensitive data. This issue manifests through improper file placement and access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized remote exploitation. The vulnerability specifically affects web applications that store database files in publicly accessible directories, creating a direct pathway for attackers to bypass normal authentication and authorization controls. The flaw enables remote attackers to directly access and download the OhhASP.mdb database file through simple HTTP requests, exposing the entire database contents including user credentials and other sensitive information.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-275 permissions issues and CWE-200 information exposure, as it demonstrates both inadequate access controls and the exposure of sensitive data through improper file system permissions. The technical implementation flaw lies in the web application's configuration where database files are stored in the web root directory without proper access restrictions or authentication requirements. This design decision violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as it places sensitive data in a location that is inherently accessible to anyone who knows the file path. The vulnerability exploits the absence of proper access control mechanisms that should normally validate user credentials and permissions before granting access to database files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with immediate access to a complete database containing user passwords and potentially other sensitive information. This exposure enables credential reuse attacks, privilege escalation, and further lateral movement within compromised networks. Attackers can directly download the database file without requiring any special tools or complex exploitation techniques, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous. The impact extends beyond immediate data theft to include potential system compromise, regulatory compliance violations, and significant reputational damage for organizations using affected applications. The vulnerability also facilitates automated scanning and exploitation, as attackers can easily identify and exploit this flaw through standard web application security scanners.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate access control issues and the underlying architectural problems that allowed the database to be placed in an insecure location. Organizations should implement proper access controls by moving database files outside the web root directory and ensuring that all sensitive data is protected through appropriate file system permissions and web server configurations. The recommended approach includes configuring web server access controls to prevent direct access to database files, implementing proper authentication and authorization checks for all database access requests, and conducting regular security audits to identify and remediate similar issues. Additionally, organizations should adopt secure coding practices that enforce proper separation of concerns between web-facing components and sensitive data storage, aligning with security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and output encoding to prevent path traversal attacks that could potentially be used to access restricted files.