CVE-2008-5897 in FreeWallpaper
Summary
by MITRE
CodeAvalanche FreeWallpaper 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/CAFreeWallpaper.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-2008-5897 represents a critical misconfiguration in the CodeAvalanche FreeWallpaper application that exposes sensitive data through improper access control mechanisms. This issue falls under the category of insecure direct object reference vulnerabilities, where the application fails to properly validate access permissions for critical resources. The flaw allows remote attackers to directly access database files through predictable paths, bypassing normal authentication and authorization checks that should protect sensitive administrative information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of file access controls within its web root directory structure. The database file CAFreeWallpaper.mdb is stored in a location that is directly accessible via web requests, specifically through the path _private/CAFreeWallpaper.mdb. This configuration violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper resource isolation, as the application does not implement adequate access controls to prevent unauthorized retrieval of sensitive data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it exposes administrative credentials in cleartext format, providing attackers with direct access to system administration functions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for systems running the CodeAvalanche FreeWallpaper application. Remote attackers who discover the database file can immediately obtain administrator passwords without requiring any authentication or exploitation of additional vulnerabilities. This represents a complete bypass of the application's security model and enables attackers to gain full administrative control over the system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) as it allows unauthorized access to legitimate administrative credentials. The exposure of database files containing sensitive information also violates data protection principles and could result in compliance violations under various regulatory frameworks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical skill and can be accomplished through simple web requests, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application is publicly accessible. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as a critical risk that requires immediate remediation through proper access control implementation. The recommended mitigation involves moving sensitive database files outside the web root directory and implementing proper access controls that validate user permissions before allowing database access. Additionally, the application should be configured to use secure authentication mechanisms and proper file permission settings to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive resources. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify similar misconfigurations that could expose sensitive data through predictable file paths or improper access controls.