CVE-2008-4512 in ASP-MS Access Shoutbox
Summary
by MITRE
ASP/MS Access Shoutbox, probably 1.1 beta, stores db/shoutdb.mdb under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4512 represents a critical access control flaw in the ASP/MS Access Shoutbox web application version 1.1 beta. This issue stems from improper configuration of database file placement within the web server's document root directory, creating a significant security risk that exposes sensitive information to remote attackers. The affected application stores its database file db/shoutdb.mdb in a location accessible through standard web requests, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms that should protect sensitive data.
The technical flaw manifests as a path traversal and information disclosure vulnerability where the database file containing user-generated content, potentially including personal information, chat logs, and other sensitive data remains directly accessible through HTTP requests. This configuration violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper resource isolation, allowing any remote attacker to directly access the database file without authentication. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 Access Control, specifically addressing inadequate access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized access to protected resources. The flaw enables attackers to retrieve all data stored within the shoutbox database, potentially including user credentials, private messages, and other confidential information that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete access to the application's data store without requiring any authentication credentials or exploitation of additional vulnerabilities. Remote attackers can directly request the database file through standard HTTP GET requests, downloading the entire database content and potentially extracting sensitive information that could be used for identity theft, social engineering attacks, or further system compromise. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 Data from Information Repositories, where adversaries collect data from databases and information repositories. The exposure of database contents can lead to significant data breaches, compliance violations, and potential legal consequences for organizations hosting vulnerable applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through proper database file placement outside the web root directory, ensuring that database files are not directly accessible through web requests. Organizations should implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to protect database resources, while also conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar configuration issues. The solution involves reconfiguring the web application to store database files in secure directories with appropriate access permissions, preventing direct HTTP access to sensitive data files. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices can help prevent similar issues in other components of the web application stack, while regular security audits should be conducted to ensure that no other sensitive files remain exposed within web-accessible directories.