CVE-2008-5562 in ASPPortal
Summary
by MITRE
ASPPortal stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download the database file via a direct request for xportal.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5562 affects ASPPortal applications that store database files in web-accessible directories without proper access controls. This represents a critical configuration flaw that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and secure by default implementation. The issue stems from improper file permissions and directory structure configuration where the database file xportal.mdb is placed in a location that is directly accessible through web requests, creating an exploitable path for unauthorized data access.
This vulnerability constitutes a classic case of insecure direct object reference as classified under CWE-22, where the application provides direct access to objects based on user-supplied input without proper access control validation. The flaw allows remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and directly request the database file through simple HTTP GET requests, effectively eliminating any server-side access control checks. The database file contains sensitive information including user credentials, application data, and potentially personal identifiable information that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Attackers can immediately download the entire database file, gaining access to all stored information without requiring any authentication credentials or advanced exploitation techniques. This creates immediate data breach risks, potentially exposing user accounts, personal data, and application configuration details. The vulnerability also enables further attack vectors such as credential reuse attacks, where stolen database contents can be used to compromise additional systems or escalate privileges within the application environment.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1078 technique for valid accounts and T1046 technique for network service scanning. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires no specialized tools or complex exploitation methods, making it accessible to even novice attackers. The vulnerability exists in the application's configuration rather than in its code logic, making it a configuration management failure that could affect multiple instances of the application across different environments. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including proper file placement outside web roots, implementing access controls, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all web-accessible directories to ensure sensitive files are not exposed through direct object references.
The remediation approach should focus on proper file access control implementation, ensuring database files are stored outside web-accessible directories and that appropriate authentication and authorization checks are enforced before any database access is permitted. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure configuration practices and implementing proper access control mechanisms to prevent unauthorized data access.