CVE-2008-5592 in Nightfall Personal Diary
Summary
by MITRE
Nightfall Personal Diary 1.0 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 users-zza21.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2024
Nightfall Personal Diary version 1.0 contains a critical security vulnerability that stems from improper configuration of sensitive data storage and access controls within the web application environment. This vulnerability manifests as a misconfigured file system where the application stores its database file containing user information directly within the web root directory structure. The database file users-zza21.mdb is accessible through direct URL requests without proper authentication or authorization checks, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data. This configuration represents a fundamental failure in secure application design principles where sensitive information is not properly protected through access control mechanisms.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')" and CWE-285 which addresses "Improper Authorization." The application fails to implement proper access control checks before serving database files, allowing any remote user to request the specific database file through a direct http request. This weakness enables attackers to bypass normal application authentication flows and directly access the backend data store. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple http GET requests targeting the specific database file path, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no complex exploitation techniques or privileged access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass serious privacy and security implications for all users of the application. Remote attackers can download complete user databases containing personal information, potentially including names, email addresses, diary entries, and other sensitive personal data. This creates a significant risk of identity theft, privacy violations, and potential social engineering attacks based on the collected personal information. The vulnerability affects all users of the application since the database file is accessible without authentication, making it a widespread concern that impacts the entire user base rather than individual accounts. The exposure of personal diary entries particularly amplifies the severity as these entries may contain confidential personal information that users expect to remain private.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation of the access control configuration and implementation of proper security controls. The primary fix involves moving the database files outside of the web root directory structure and implementing proper authentication and authorization checks before any database access is permitted. Security controls should include enforcing access control lists, implementing proper file permissions, and ensuring that sensitive data files are not directly accessible through web requests. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as input validation, secure configuration management, and regular security assessments to prevent similar issues. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and proper security architecture design principles as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST security frameworks. The remediation process should include reviewing all file access patterns, implementing proper directory permissions, and ensuring that sensitive data storage locations are properly protected from unauthorized access.