CVE-2007-2753 in Haber portal
Summary
by MITRE
RunawaySoft Haber portal 1.0 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a database via a direct request for data/xice.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2753 affects RunawaySoft Haber portal version 1.0, representing a critical misconfiguration that exposes sensitive database files to unauthorized remote access. This issue stems from improper file access controls within the web application's directory structure, where database files are stored in locations accessible to external users without authentication or authorization mechanisms. The specific file xice.mdb located in the data directory demonstrates how application developers failed to implement proper access restrictions for sensitive information stored within the web root. This misconfiguration creates an attack surface that directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and secure by default configurations.
The technical flaw manifests as an insecure direct object reference vulnerability, where the application fails to validate access permissions before serving database files. This weakness allows attackers to bypass normal application logic and directly request database files through predictable URL paths. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring any special tools or complex attack vectors. According to CWE standards, this represents a CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') combined with CWE-284: Improper Access Control, where the system fails to properly restrict access to sensitive resources. The attack vector is straightforward and can be executed by any remote user who discovers the direct path to the database file, making it particularly dangerous due to its low complexity and high impact.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as the database contains sensitive information that could include user credentials, application configuration details, or business-critical data. Remote attackers can download the entire database without authentication, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized access to user accounts. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the application's data store, creating potential for cascading security issues if the database contains authentication credentials or other sensitive information. Organizations using this vulnerable software face significant risk of regulatory compliance violations, particularly under data protection regulations such as gdpr or hipaa, where unauthorized data access can result in substantial financial penalties and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper access controls that restrict direct file access to authorized users only, ensuring that database files are stored outside the web root directory or protected by appropriate authentication mechanisms. Security configurations should enforce access control lists that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive files, while application code should validate all file access requests through proper authentication and authorization checks. Organizations should also implement regular security audits to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations throughout their application infrastructure. The remediation process aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002: Data from Information Repositories, where adversaries attempt to access databases and information repositories directly. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and proper input validation can help prevent exploitation attempts, while regular security training for developers emphasizes secure coding practices and proper resource access controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future releases.