CVE-2008-6356 in evCal Events Calendar
Summary
by MITRE
evCal Events Calendar 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 (1) evcal.mdb and (2) evcal97.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6356 affects the evCal Events Calendar application, which is a web-based calendar management system. This issue represents a critical misconfiguration that exposes sensitive database files directly accessible through the web server's document root directory. The flaw stems from inadequate access control mechanisms implemented within the application's file structure, allowing unauthorized users to bypass normal authentication procedures and directly access database files containing user credentials. The vulnerability specifically impacts two database files: evcal.mdb and evcal97.mdb, which are stored in locations accessible via standard web requests.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", and CWE-200, "Information Exposure", as it directly exposes sensitive data through improper file access controls. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting direct HTTP requests to access the database files without requiring valid authentication credentials. The exposed database files contain username and password information, creating a significant risk of credential compromise that could lead to unauthorized access to the calendar system and potentially broader network access if these credentials are reused across other systems. This vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and proper access control implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with persistent access to calendar data and potentially administrative controls within the application. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to download complete database contents, including user accounts, event information, and potentially other sensitive data stored within the calendar system. The exposure of database files through the web root creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the misconfiguration is corrected. This vulnerability also violates security best practices outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts", as it provides attackers with legitimate credentials that can be used for further lateral movement within networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation of the file access control configuration. Organizations should relocate database files outside of the web root directory and implement proper access controls using authentication mechanisms and authorization checks. The application should enforce proper file access restrictions through web server configuration, ensuring that database files are not directly accessible via HTTP requests. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and access control lists can help prevent direct database file access attempts. Regular security audits should verify that sensitive files are properly secured and that access controls are appropriately configured. The vulnerability also necessitates a review of the application's overall security architecture to prevent similar misconfigurations in other components and to ensure compliance with security standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and OWASP Application Security Verification Standard.