CVE-2007-0532 in Uploader
Summary
by MITRE
Tuan Do Uploader (aka php-uploader) 6 beta 1 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain the administrator password hash via a direct request for userdata/user_1.txt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0532 represents a critical security flaw in Tuan Do Uploader version 6 beta 1, which is a web-based file upload application. This issue stems from improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized remote attackers to directly access sensitive administrative files. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's handling of user data storage, where critical authentication information is placed in a location accessible to anyone who knows the file path. The affected file userdata/user_1.txt contains the administrator password hash, which represents a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient access control measures that fail to properly protect sensitive data stored under the web root directory. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference where the application provides direct access to internal objects without proper authentication checks. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms by simply requesting the specific file path, effectively eliminating the need for any legitimate credentials or session management. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of how sensitive data should be protected in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with immediate access to administrative credentials without requiring any additional exploitation techniques. Once an attacker obtains the password hash, they can attempt offline brute force attacks or use rainbow table attacks to recover the original password, effectively granting them full administrative control over the application. This compromise extends beyond simple credential theft, as the attacker can modify uploaded files, access all user data, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor that bypasses all normal security controls, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive data.
The primary mitigation strategy involves implementing proper access control measures that prevent direct object access to sensitive files. This includes moving sensitive data outside the web root directory, implementing proper authentication checks for all file access requests, and ensuring that file paths are not predictable or guessable. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and access logging to detect unauthorized access attempts. The solution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials and T1566 which covers credential harvesting. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of proper application security testing and the need for developers to understand the security implications of file storage and access control mechanisms. Regular security audits and proper configuration management should be implemented to prevent such issues from occurring in production environments.