CVE-2007-4937 in CS Guestbook
Summary
by MITRE
CS Guestbook stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain the admin name and MD5 password hash via a direct request for base/usr/0.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4937 represents a critical access control flaw in the CS Guestbook application that exposes sensitive administrative credentials to remote attackers. This issue stems from poor security practices in the application's directory structure and file permissions, where sensitive data including administrative usernames and password hashes are stored in locations accessible directly through web requests. The specific file path base/usr/0.php serves as the attack vector, allowing unauthorized individuals to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and directly access stored credentials without proper authorization.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of weak access controls. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege, where sensitive information is stored in a publicly accessible location within the web root directory structure. The MD5 password hash exposure creates additional risk as these hashes can potentially be cracked using rainbow table attacks or brute force methods, especially if weak passwords are used.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with immediate access to administrative credentials, enabling them to gain full control over the guestbook application and potentially the underlying system. Remote attackers can exploit this without requiring any special privileges or complex attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous. The exposure of administrative names and password hashes allows for account takeover attempts, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within compromised networks. This vulnerability undermines the security model of the application by eliminating the need for authentication entirely for accessing critical administrative information.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access controls and secure file storage practices. The primary recommendation involves moving sensitive configuration files and credential storage outside the web root directory and implementing proper file permissions that prevent direct web access to sensitive data. Organizations should enforce strict access control policies using authentication mechanisms and ensure that all sensitive data is properly encrypted both at rest and in transit. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and regular security audits can help detect and prevent such misconfigurations from being exploited in production environments. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting thorough security reviews during application development phases to prevent such critical flaws from reaching production systems.