CVE-2008-6354 in ASPired2poll
Summary
by MITRE
The Net Guys ASPired2poll stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a database containing the username and password via a direct request to ASPired2poll.mdb.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-6354 represents a critical misconfiguration issue within the Net Guys ASPired2poll web application that exposes sensitive data through improper access controls. This flaw exists in the application's file storage architecture where database files containing authentication credentials are placed in directories accessible to web users without proper authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects the ASPired2poll.mdb database file which contains user account information including usernames and passwords, making it a prime target for attackers seeking unauthorized access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the web application's directory structure. When sensitive database files are stored under the web root directory, they become directly accessible through standard web requests without requiring authentication or authorization checks. This configuration violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper resource isolation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions and access control issues, and represents a classic example of insecure direct object references where attackers can directly access database files through predictable paths. The flaw allows remote attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures by simply crafting a direct HTTP request to the database file location.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with complete credentials for user accounts within the application. This exposure enables various attack vectors including privilege escalation, account takeover, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage the stolen credentials for unauthorized access to the application's functionality, potentially leading to data manipulation, deletion of sensitive information, or use of the compromised accounts for further reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through various methods including direct file access and database exploitation. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues and potential legal consequences due to unauthorized access to sensitive user data, particularly if the application handles personally identifiable information or corporate credentials.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper access controls and secure configuration practices. The primary remediation involves moving sensitive database files outside the web root directory and implementing proper access controls using authentication mechanisms such as database connection strings with restricted permissions. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to monitor and block direct requests to database files, establish proper file permission settings using least privilege principles, and conduct regular security audits to identify similar misconfigurations. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding can help prevent exploitation through path traversal attacks, while regular security training for developers can prevent similar issues in future application development cycles. The fix should also include monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files, providing visibility into potential exploitation attempts and supporting incident response activities.