CVE-2007-0517 in Random PHP Quote
Summary
by MITRE
Scriptsez Random PHP Quote 1.0 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain password information via a direct request for pwd.txt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0517 affects Scriptsez Random PHP Quote version 1.0, representing a critical security flaw in web application configuration and access control implementation. This vulnerability stems from improper file placement and permission settings within the application's directory structure, creating an exploitable condition that directly compromises user authentication data. The flaw manifests when sensitive password information is stored in a location accessible to unauthenticated users, fundamentally undermining the security posture of the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application storing password credentials in a file named pwd.txt within the web root directory structure. This configuration violates fundamental security principles regarding the placement of sensitive data and demonstrates a lack of proper access control mechanisms. The web server serves this file without requiring authentication or authorization checks, allowing any remote attacker to directly request the file through standard http protocols. This direct access pattern creates an information disclosure vulnerability that aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses improper exposure of sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with immediate access to authentication credentials that could be used for various malicious activities. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness without requiring any special privileges or complex attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in production environments. The vulnerability enables unauthorized access to the application's administrative functions, potentially allowing for complete system compromise, data manipulation, and further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. This type of vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the attack tree framework where initial access through information disclosure leads to privilege escalation and persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0517 require immediate implementation of proper file access controls and secure configuration practices. The primary remediation involves moving sensitive files outside the web root directory structure and implementing appropriate access controls using web server configuration directives such as apache's allow directives or similar mechanisms in other web servers. Additionally, proper file permissions should be set to restrict access to only authorized system processes and users. Organizations should also implement regular security audits to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations across their web applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and secure by default configurations, which are fundamental concepts in both NIST cybersecurity frameworks and ISO/IEC 27001 standards. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar insecure file placements that could expose sensitive data to unauthorized access.