CVE-2008-6052 in Pre E-Learning Portal
Summary
by MITRE
PreProjects Pre E-Learning Portal stores db_elearning.mdb under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain passwords via a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-6052 represents a critical misconfiguration issue within the PreProjects Pre E-Learning Portal software that exposes sensitive database files to unauthorized access. This flaw stems from improper file access controls and inadequate security measures during the application's deployment, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to the system's backend data. The vulnerability specifically targets the database file db_elearning.mdb which is stored within the web root directory, making it directly accessible through standard web requests without proper authentication or authorization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs due to the application's failure to properly secure sensitive files within its web directory structure. When database files are placed in the web root, they become accessible through standard HTTP requests, eliminating the need for legitimate authentication to access the underlying data. This misconfiguration allows attackers to construct direct URL requests to access the database file, bypassing all normal access controls and authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as a "Path Traversal" attack vector, where an attacker can manipulate the path to access files outside of the intended directory structure. The database file contains user credentials and other sensitive information that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with direct access to user credentials stored within the database. This exposure can lead to unauthorized system access, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage the obtained credentials to escalate privileges, access additional systems, and conduct further reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for credential stuffing attacks, where stolen credentials can be used to compromise other systems within the organization. From an attack chain perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials and T1566 which involves credential harvesting through various attack vectors.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability must address both the immediate exposure and underlying architectural issues that allowed the database file to remain accessible. The primary recommendation involves moving sensitive database files outside of the web root directory structure, ensuring that they cannot be accessed through standard web requests. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms for all application resources, including database files, is essential. Organizations should also conduct regular security audits to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations across their infrastructure. The implementation of web application firewalls and file access monitoring systems can provide additional layers of protection against unauthorized access attempts. Furthermore, following secure coding practices and conducting thorough security testing during the development lifecycle can prevent such vulnerabilities from being introduced in the first place, aligning with the principles of defense in depth as outlined in industry security frameworks.