CVE-2008-5885 in ASPired2Quote
Summary
by MITRE
The Net Guys ASPired2Quote stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download the database file containing usernames and passwords via a direct request for admin/quote.mdb. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical misconfiguration in the Net Guys ASPired2Quote web application that exposes sensitive database files through improper access controls. The flaw occurs when the application stores its Microsoft Access database file quote.mdb in the web root directory structure, making it directly accessible to remote attackers without proper authentication mechanisms. This configuration violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and secure by default design, as sensitive data including user credentials and administrative information becomes immediately available to anyone who can access the web server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate directory permissions and file access controls within the web application's deployment configuration. When database files are placed in publicly accessible web directories, they bypass normal application-level authentication checks that would typically protect such sensitive information. Attackers can simply construct a direct URL request to access the database file without requiring any valid credentials or session tokens, effectively eliminating any form of access control enforcement that should normally protect administrative data. This type of vulnerability is classified as a weak access control issue and aligns with CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with immediate access to a complete database containing user credentials, administrative information, and potentially sensitive business data. The exposure of usernames and passwords in plaintext or weakly encrypted formats creates an immediate risk for credential compromise and subsequent unauthorized access to the application and potentially connected systems. This vulnerability can be exploited by any remote attacker with knowledge of the target application's structure, making it particularly dangerous in environments where such applications are publicly accessible. The attack pattern follows typical reconnaissance and exploitation techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the credential access and defense evasion domains.
Organizations should immediately implement proper access control measures to prevent such exposure of sensitive data files. The recommended mitigations include moving database files outside of the web root directory structure, implementing proper directory permissions that restrict access to database files, and ensuring that all sensitive information is protected through appropriate authentication and authorization mechanisms. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that no sensitive files are inadvertently exposed through web server configurations, and automated scanning tools should be employed to detect such misconfigurations in production environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and proper system hardening procedures to prevent such straightforward but devastating security flaws from being exploited in real-world scenarios.