CVE-2008-6051 in MetaCart
Summary
by MITRE
MetaCart Free stores metacart.mdb under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain usernames and passwords via a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-6051 represents a critical misconfiguration issue within the MetaCart Free e-commerce platform that exposes sensitive authentication data to remote attackers. This flaw stems from improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to directly access database files through web requests. The metacart.mdb file contains user credentials and authentication information that should remain protected within the application's secure environment. The vulnerability specifically affects the web application's file access controls, where database files are stored in publicly accessible directories without proper authorization checks.
This security weakness directly maps to CWE-22, known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", and CWE-284, which addresses "Improper Access Control". The vulnerability exists because the application fails to implement adequate access restrictions for sensitive files stored within the web root directory structure. Attackers can exploit this by simply crafting direct HTTP requests to access the metacart.mdb file, bypassing normal application authentication mechanisms. The exposed database file contains user account information including usernames and passwords, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to administrative accounts and user credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with a complete database of user accounts that can be used for various malicious activities including account takeover, credential stuffing attacks, and further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized data disclosure and potential modification of user information. Organizations running MetaCart Free systems face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to unauthorized access to sensitive user information. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it attractive to both skilled and less experienced threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and file system restrictions. The primary remediation involves moving sensitive database files outside of the web root directory and implementing proper authentication checks for all file access requests. Security measures should include configuring web server access controls to prevent direct access to database files, implementing proper input validation to prevent path traversal attacks, and establishing regular security audits to identify similar misconfigurations. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for file system access and establishing secure coding practices that prevent sensitive data exposure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers can leverage stolen credentials for persistent access and further exploitation of the compromised system. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor and prevent such unauthorized access attempts.