CVE-2008-1292 in ViewVC
Summary
by MITRE
ViewVC before 1.0.5 provides revision metadata without properly checking whether access was intended, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading (1) forbidden pathnames in the revision view, (2) log history that can only be reached by traversing a forbidden object, or (3) forbidden diff view path parameters.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1292 affects ViewVC versions prior to 1.0.5, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security of version control systems. This issue stems from insufficient authorization checks within the revision metadata handling mechanisms, creating opportunities for unauthorized information disclosure that can compromise sensitive repository data.
The technical flaw manifests in the revision view functionality where ViewVC fails to validate whether users have proper authorization to access specific pathnames within the version control repository. This weakness allows remote attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve revision metadata for objects they should not be permitted to view. The vulnerability extends beyond simple file access to encompass log history traversal, where attackers can access historical information by following forbidden object references, and diff view parameters that reveal sensitive path information through manipulated URL parameters.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-284, which describes improper access control in software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) as attackers can enumerate and access restricted repository paths. The impact of this flaw extends beyond mere information disclosure to potentially expose sensitive project data, including development paths, code changes, and historical access patterns that could aid in further exploitation attempts.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe for organizations relying on ViewVC for source code management and access control. Attackers can systematically discover and access restricted files, potentially uncovering sensitive information such as database connection strings, API keys, or other confidential data stored within the repository. The ability to traverse forbidden objects through log history access creates a cascading effect where initial unauthorized access can lead to broader information gathering capabilities.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate upgrading to ViewVC version 1.0.5 or later, which contains the necessary access control fixes. Organizations should also implement additional network-level controls including firewall rules to restrict access to ViewVC interfaces, deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests, and conduct comprehensive access control reviews to ensure proper permissions are enforced. Security teams should establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts and implement regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar access control weaknesses in other repository management systems.