CVE-2008-5896 in RateMySite
Summary
by MITRE
CodeAvalanche RateMySite stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download the database file containing the administrator password via a direct request for _private/CARateMySite.mdb. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5896 represents a critical misconfiguration in the CodeAvalanche RateMySite web application that exposes sensitive database files to unauthorized access. This flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in web application security architecture where sensitive information is stored in locations accessible to all users without proper authentication or authorization controls. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's directory structure where the database file CARateMySite.mdb is stored in the _private directory, which is directly accessible through web requests. This configuration violates basic security principles and creates an attack vector that allows remote exploitation without requiring any authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access control mechanisms within the web application's file system permissions and directory structure. The application stores the database file containing administrator credentials in a location that is not properly protected from direct web access, creating a path traversal vulnerability that enables attackers to bypass normal access controls. This issue falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw allows attackers to directly request the database file through a simple HTTP GET request targeting the _private/CARateMySite.mdb path, making exploitation straightforward and requiring no advanced techniques or specialized tools.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system. The exposure of the administrator password database file provides attackers with complete administrative access to the web application, enabling them to modify content, delete data, create new user accounts, and potentially escalate privileges to gain full system control. The vulnerability also represents a violation of the principle of least privilege, as it grants unauthorized access to sensitive information that should only be accessible to authorized administrators. This exposure could lead to data breaches, service disruption, and potential compromise of other systems if the administrator password is reused across multiple platforms. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires no specialized knowledge or credentials to exploit, making it attractive to both skilled and unskilled attackers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and securing sensitive data storage locations. Organizations should immediately relocate sensitive database files outside of the web root directory and implement proper access control mechanisms that prevent direct web access to private files. The implementation of proper directory permissions, web server configuration restrictions, and authentication controls are essential remediation steps. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious access patterns targeting sensitive directories. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Databases and T1566.001 for Phishing, as it enables attackers to obtain sensitive information through direct web requests and potentially use this information for further attacks. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations, and developers should follow secure coding practices that prevent storing sensitive information in accessible locations. The incident highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles, particularly focusing on secure configuration and proper data protection mechanisms.