CVE-2007-6603 in Hot
Summary
by MITRE
Hot or Not Clone has insufficient access control for producing and reading database backups, which allows remote attackers to obtain the administrator username and password via a direct request to control/backup/backup.php, which generates a backup/dump/backup.sql file that can be downloaded via a direct request to control/downloadfile.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6603 affects the Hot or Not Clone web application, which is a content management system designed for creating and managing user-generated content. This particular flaw represents a critical access control weakness that undermines the security posture of the entire application. The vulnerability stems from inadequate authorization checks within the backup functionality, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to bypass normal security controls and gain access to sensitive administrative information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves two primary attack vectors that work in conjunction to expose administrative credentials. The first vector is the control/backup/backup.php endpoint which lacks proper authentication verification, allowing any remote attacker to initiate database backup operations without requiring valid credentials. The second vector is the control/downloadfile.php endpoint which provides direct file download capabilities without implementing access restrictions. When combined, these two endpoints create a scenario where attackers can generate database backup files containing administrative credentials and then download these files directly without proper authorization. This represents a fundamental failure in the application's principle of least privilege and proper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected system. Once an attacker obtains the administrator username and password through this vulnerability, they can manipulate all aspects of the web application including user accounts, content management, database modifications, and potentially escalate their access to underlying system resources. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the system as it allows unauthorized access to sensitive data and administrative functions. According to CWE-284, this vulnerability maps to insufficient access control, specifically failing to implement proper authentication checks for privileged operations. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which involves valid accounts and credential access, as the vulnerability enables adversaries to obtain administrative credentials through legitimate application functionality.
The implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe given the nature of content management systems and their typical role in hosting sensitive user data. The backup functionality, while intended for legitimate administrative purposes, becomes a security risk when not properly protected. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing comprehensive access control checks for all application endpoints, particularly those that handle sensitive operations or data. Organizations using this software are at risk of complete system compromise, data breaches, and potential regulatory violations if user data is compromised through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on implementing proper authentication and authorization controls for all backup and file download operations. The most effective remediation involves adding robust access control checks to both the backup.php and downloadfile.php endpoints to ensure that only authenticated administrators can access these functions. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding can help prevent unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing role-based access control mechanisms that ensure users can only access functionality appropriate to their assigned roles. The solution should include logging and monitoring of backup operations to detect unauthorized access attempts. Security patches or updates to the Hot or Not Clone application should be applied immediately, as this vulnerability represents a clear violation of security best practices and can be exploited without requiring special skills or tools to execute successfully.