CVE-2007-0154 in database
Summary
by MITRE
Webulas 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/db.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2017
This vulnerability exists in the Webulas web application where sensitive database files are stored in a location accessible through the web root directory structure. The flaw represents a critical misconfiguration that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and secure by default configuration. The database file db.mdb contains password information that should never be directly accessible through web requests without proper authentication and authorization mechanisms in place.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper file system permissions and web server configuration that allows direct file access to database files within the web application directory. Attackers can simply construct a URL request to access the database file directly without requiring any valid credentials or authentication tokens. This misconfiguration creates an attack surface where sensitive information can be extracted through simple GET requests, making the exploitation trivial and automated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with immediate access to authentication credentials stored in the database. This exposure can lead to unauthorized system access, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by allowing unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data. From an attack perspective, this represents a critical weakness that aligns with attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access and privilege escalation domains.
The vulnerability can be classified as a specific type of insecure direct object reference issue that falls under CWE-22, which deals with improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. This weakness allows attackers to access files that should be protected through direct path traversal techniques. The issue also demonstrates poor secure coding practices that should be addressed through proper input validation and access control implementation. Organizations implementing web applications should ensure that database files and sensitive configuration data are stored outside of web-accessible directories and that proper access controls are enforced.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate relocation of database files outside the web root directory, implementation of proper access controls through web server configuration, and enforcement of authentication mechanisms before any database access is permitted. Security configurations should be reviewed to ensure that file system permissions are properly set to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations that could expose sensitive data to unauthorized access. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure configuration guidelines and maintaining proper separation between application logic and sensitive data storage mechanisms.