CVE-2007-5063 in Flip
Summary
by MITRE
Adam Scheinberg Flip 3.0 and earlier stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a file containing login credentials via a direct request for var/users.txt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5063 affects Adam Scheinberg Flip 3.0 and earlier versions, representing a critical security flaw in web application configuration and access control mechanisms. This issue stems from improper handling of sensitive data within the application's directory structure, where login credentials are stored in plaintext format within the web root directory. The flaw enables remote attackers to directly access and download sensitive information through a simple HTTP request targeting the var/users.txt file, bypassing any legitimate authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a fundamental misconfiguration in the web application's file permissions and access control policies. When the Flip application is installed, it places credential files in a location that is directly accessible via the web server, creating an attack surface where unauthorized users can retrieve authentication data without requiring valid credentials or administrative privileges. This misconfiguration directly violates security best practices for sensitive data handling and demonstrates poor application design principles. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and specifically relates to CWE-276, which deals with incorrect access control. The flaw allows for unauthorized data access through a straightforward exploitation technique that requires minimal technical knowledge or resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially affecting all users of the affected application versions. Attackers can immediately obtain login credentials for the Flip application, which may grant them access to user accounts, administrative functions, or potentially escalate privileges within the system. This vulnerability directly enables credential stuffing attacks, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to sensitive data within the application's scope. The exposure of login credentials creates cascading security risks, as compromised accounts may provide access to additional systems or data sources that rely on the same authentication mechanisms. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078, which covers valid accounts and credential access, and represents a clear path to establishing persistent access within the target environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to address the underlying configuration issues. The primary remediation involves moving sensitive credential files outside the web root directory and implementing proper access controls that prevent direct web access to authentication data. Organizations should implement file permission controls that restrict access to credential files to only authorized system processes and administrators. The application should be updated to version 3.1 or later, which addresses this specific vulnerability through improved access control mechanisms and secure credential storage practices. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify other sensitive files that may be improperly exposed within web-accessible directories, implementing regular monitoring and access control reviews to prevent similar issues. The remediation process should include implementing proper logging and monitoring of access attempts to sensitive files, establishing network segmentation to limit exposure, and ensuring that all applications follow secure coding practices that prevent the storage of sensitive data in insecure locations.