CVE-2008-6008 in hyBook
Summary
by MITRE
hyBook Guestbook Script stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a database containing a password via a direct request for hyBook.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6008 affects the hyBook Guestbook Script, a web-based application designed for managing guestbook entries. This flaw represents a critical misconfiguration that exposes sensitive data through improper file access controls. The issue stems from the application's failure to implement adequate security measures when storing database files within the web root directory, creating an exploitable condition that directly compromises user authentication credentials. The vulnerability specifically impacts the hyBook.mdb database file which contains password information, making it accessible through simple direct requests without proper authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the application's directory structure and access control configuration. When the hyBook Guestbook Script installs, it places the database file hyBook.mdb in a location that is publicly accessible through the web server's document root. This configuration violates fundamental security principles for web application deployment, particularly regarding the separation of sensitive data from publicly accessible resources. The lack of proper access control enforcement means that any remote attacker can directly request the database file through a standard http GET request, bypassing all intended authentication and authorization mechanisms. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference vulnerability where the application fails to verify access permissions before serving sensitive files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for any organization using the affected hyBook Guestbook Script. Remote attackers can immediately obtain database contents containing user passwords, potentially compromising all accounts that have been registered through the guestbook system. The exposure of password hashes or plaintext credentials creates immediate opportunities for account takeover attacks, credential stuffing, and lateral movement within compromised networks. The vulnerability affects not only the guestbook functionality but also represents a broader security failure in the application's architecture that could expose additional sensitive data if other database files exist within the same accessible directory structure. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) classifications, demonstrating multiple security control failures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves moving the database file outside the web root directory and implementing proper access controls to ensure that sensitive files cannot be accessed through direct web requests. Organizations should also implement proper authentication mechanisms for any administrative functions that require database access, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information. The remediation process should include reviewing all file permissions and access controls within the web application's directory structure to prevent similar issues. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and access control lists can provide additional layers of protection against direct file access attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following the principle of least privilege and proper separation of concerns in web application design, aligning with ATT&CK techniques that focus on credential access and privilege escalation through insecure file permissions. Organizations should conduct regular security audits of their web applications to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations that could lead to unauthorized data access and system compromise.