CVE-2007-0593 in Siteman
Summary
by MITRE
Siteman 1.1.11 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a database containing password hashes via a direct request for data/members.txt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0593 represents a critical security flaw in Siteman 1.1.11 software where sensitive data is improperly stored within the web root directory without adequate access controls. This configuration creates a direct pathway for remote attackers to obtain sensitive information through simple HTTP requests. The specific file targeted is data/members.txt which contains password hashes, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it exposes authentication credentials that could be exploited for unauthorized system access. This issue falls under the category of insecure direct object reference vulnerabilities and weak access control mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates poor security practices in application design where the developers failed to implement proper access control checks before serving sensitive files. The web root directory typically serves as the public-facing directory for web applications, and storing sensitive database files here without proper authorization checks creates an inherent security risk. Attackers can directly request the members.txt file using standard web browsers or automated tools, bypassing any intended authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability is classified as a CWE-22 weakness related to improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. The flaw also aligns with CWE-552 which covers file access restrictions that are too permissive, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable account takeover attacks and privilege escalation. When password hashes are exposed, attackers can attempt offline password cracking using tools like john the ripper or hashcat to recover plaintext passwords. This weakness creates a significant attack surface that can be leveraged for lateral movement within networks or for launching more sophisticated attacks against other systems. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. From an attack perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact vector that can be exploited by anyone with network access to the vulnerable system. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can use the stolen credentials for further infiltration attempts. The vulnerability also contributes to T1528 (Steal Application Access Token) when the compromised credentials are used to access additional services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper access controls, restricting file permissions, and ensuring sensitive data is stored outside the web root directory. Organizations should immediately relocate sensitive files to secure directories with appropriate access controls and implement proper authentication checks before serving any sensitive data. The solution requires a fundamental shift in application architecture to prevent direct object references to sensitive files and implement proper input validation. Security configurations should enforce strict access control lists and ensure that only authorized users or processes can access sensitive data files. Regular security audits should verify that no sensitive information is stored in publicly accessible directories, and automated scanning tools should be deployed to detect similar misconfigurations. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor and prevent such unauthorized access attempts. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that the access control mechanisms function correctly and that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application's file structure.