CVE-2008-6374 in MailingListPro
Summary
by MITRE
CodefixerSoftware MailingListPro Free Edition stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to db/MailingList.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6374 affects CodefixerSoftware MailingListPro Free Edition, a web-based email list management application that suffers from improper access control mechanisms. This flaw resides in the application's configuration where sensitive database files are stored within the web root directory structure, creating a critical security exposure that directly violates fundamental web application security principles. The database file db/MailingList.mdb contains confidential information including user email addresses, subscription details, and potentially other personally identifiable information that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper directory permissions and access controls for sensitive files located within the web accessible directory. When a web server serves files from the web root, any file placed in this directory becomes publicly accessible unless explicitly protected through server configuration or application-level access controls. This misconfiguration allows remote attackers to directly request the database file through a simple http GET request, bypassing any intended authentication or authorization mechanisms that should protect sensitive data. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference, where the application fails to verify that the requesting entity has proper authorization to access the requested resource.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to obtain comprehensive user data from the mailing list system without requiring any authentication credentials or exploitation of other vulnerabilities. The exposed database contains sensitive information that could be used for spamming activities, identity theft, or targeted phishing campaigns, potentially affecting thousands of users who have subscribed to the mailing lists managed by this application. Additionally, the compromise of this database could facilitate further attacks on the underlying system, as the attacker might discover additional sensitive information such as administrative credentials, system configuration details, or other user-related data that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) categories, reflecting fundamental flaws in path traversal protection and access control implementation. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the initial access and reconnaissance phases of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically relating to techniques such as "T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application" and "T1083 - File and Directory Discovery" where attackers can enumerate and access sensitive files through direct web requests. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including moving sensitive database files outside of the web root directory, implementing proper file permissions, and configuring web server access controls to prevent direct access to database files. Long-term solutions should include regular security assessments, proper input validation, and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent similar misconfigurations from occurring in future deployments.