CVE-2008-5853 in ChiCoMaS
Summary
by MITRE
Chilek Content Management System (aka ChiCoMaS) 2.0.4 and earlier stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to (1) obtain database credentials via a direct request for config.inc or (2) read database backups via a request for a backup/ URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
The CVE-2008-5853 vulnerability affects the Chilek Content Management System version 2.0.4 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw related to improper access control mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from the system's inadequate protection of sensitive files stored within the web root directory, creating an exploitable condition that exposes critical system information to unauthorized remote attackers. The flaw specifically targets the configuration and backup files that contain database credentials and backup data respectively, making it particularly dangerous for systems relying on this CMS.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper placement of sensitive configuration files within the web accessible directory structure. When attackers make direct requests for specific file paths such as config.inc or backup/ URIs, they can bypass normal access controls and retrieve critical information. This represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and proper file access control implementation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-275 permissions issues and specifically relates to CWE-532 which addresses information exposure through improperly protected files. The flaw demonstrates poor security architecture where sensitive data is not adequately protected by authentication mechanisms or access control lists.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability provides attackers with direct access to database credentials, enabling them to establish unauthorized database connections and potentially extract, modify, or delete sensitive information. The ability to read database backups exposes not only current data but also historical information that may contain sensitive user data, system configurations, or business-critical information. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The exposure of database credentials can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches, as attackers can leverage these credentials to access other systems that may share the same database credentials.
The exploitation of this vulnerability directly aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly T1078 Valid Accounts for initial access and T1005 Data from Local System for information gathering. Security professionals should consider implementing network segmentation and access control measures to prevent unauthorized access to web root directories. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper file permissions, secure configuration management, and regular security assessments of web applications. Organizations should immediately implement access control restrictions on sensitive files, move configuration files outside the web root, and ensure that backup files are properly secured with appropriate authentication mechanisms. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that no sensitive information is stored in web-accessible directories without proper access controls.
The remediation approach should include immediate removal of sensitive files from web root directories, implementation of proper access control lists, and configuration of web server permissions to prevent unauthorized access to configuration and backup files. Organizations should also establish secure configuration management practices and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege, proper file access control implementation, and secure coding practices to prevent information disclosure vulnerabilities.