CVE-2007-0312 in Poll
Summary
by MITRE
wcSimple Poll stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain password hashes via a direct request for password.txt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0312 affects the wcSimple Poll plugin, which is a polling system commonly used in web applications. This issue stems from improper handling of sensitive data within the application's file structure, creating a critical security weakness that exposes authentication credentials to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability specifically relates to the storage of password hashes in a location that is accessible through standard web requests, bypassing normal access control mechanisms that should protect such sensitive information.
The technical flaw manifests when the application stores password hashes in a file named password.txt within the web root directory. This location is inherently accessible to any remote user who can make direct HTTP requests to the server, as the file is not protected by authentication mechanisms or access control lists. The web root directory is designed to serve files directly to web clients, making it unsuitable for storing sensitive information without proper protection measures. This configuration violates fundamental security principles that require sensitive data to be stored outside of web-accessible directories or protected by robust authentication and authorization controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to obtain password hashes without requiring any authentication credentials or exploiting other vulnerabilities within the system. Once an attacker gains access to the password.txt file, they can extract the password hashes and potentially perform offline password cracking attacks using tools like john the ripper or hashcat. This exposure undermines the entire authentication mechanism of the application, as password hashes are typically used to verify user credentials and protect system access. The vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by anyone who knows the application's URL structure or discovers the location of the password file through reconnaissance activities.
The flaw aligns with CWE-275 permissions, which describes inadequate permissions for critical resources, and represents a classic example of insecure direct object reference vulnerability that enables unauthorized access to sensitive data. This vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use information obtained through this vulnerability to craft targeted attacks against users. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security design principles and violates the principle of least privilege, where sensitive information should only be accessible to authorized users with legitimate need.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate relocation of password.txt and other sensitive files outside of the web root directory, implementation of proper access controls using authentication mechanisms, and configuration of web server permissions to prevent direct access to sensitive files. Organizations should also implement regular security audits to identify similar misconfigurations and establish proper file access control policies. The fix requires modifying the application's file storage logic to ensure sensitive information is stored in protected directories and that access to these files is properly authenticated. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of access attempts to sensitive files can help detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.