CVE-2008-6355 in ASPired2Protect
Summary
by MITRE
The Net Guys ASPired2Protect 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 ASPired2Protect.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-6355 represents a critical misconfiguration issue within the Net Guys ASPired2Protect web application that fundamentally compromises the security of stored credentials. This flaw exists due to improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized remote users to directly access sensitive database files through simple HTTP requests. The vulnerability specifically affects the storage of authentication credentials within the web root directory, creating an easily exploitable path for attackers to obtain database contents containing usernames and passwords without requiring any authentication or authorization.
This security weakness directly maps to CWE-275 permissions issues and CWE-264 permissions, privileges, and access control flaws, where the application fails to properly enforce access restrictions on sensitive resources. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic case of insecure direct object references, where attackers can manipulate URLs to access database files directly. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it allows remote code execution and privilege escalation through credential theft, enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems protected by the compromised credentials. The ASPired2Protect.mdb database file contains stored authentication information that attackers can retrieve through simple GET requests, making this a high-severity vulnerability that requires immediate remediation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential system compromise and data breaches across multiple user accounts. Attackers can leverage the stolen credentials to access protected resources, potentially escalating privileges within the affected systems and gaining access to additional network resources. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the application continues to store sensitive information in accessible locations. Organizations using this software face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The attack surface is particularly broad as this vulnerability affects any remote user who can access the web application, making it an attractive target for automated scanning and exploitation tools.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation of the access control configuration and implementation of proper security controls. The most critical action involves moving sensitive database files outside of the web root directory and implementing proper access controls using authentication and authorization mechanisms. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block direct database file access attempts, while also applying proper file permissions and directory restrictions. The solution requires establishing secure coding practices that prevent direct object references and implement proper input validation. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations within the application infrastructure, ensuring that sensitive data is properly protected through defense-in-depth strategies that align with industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.