CVE-2008-6387 in Quick Tree View .NET
Summary
by MITRE
Quick Tree View .NET 3.1 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download the database file via a direct request to qtv.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6387 affects Quick Tree View .NET version 3.1, a web-based content management system that utilizes a Microsoft Access database file for data storage. This flaw represents a critical misconfiguration that exposes sensitive data to unauthorized parties through improper access controls. The vulnerability exists because the application stores its database file qtv.mdb in a location accessible through the web root directory structure, creating an easily exploitable path for malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to the database contents. The issue stems from inadequate security measures during the application deployment process, where database files are placed in web-accessible directories without proper authentication or authorization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to directly request the qtv.mdb database file through a simple http GET request, bypassing any intended access controls or authentication mechanisms. This represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where sensitive information is stored in plaintext format within a directory structure that is publicly accessible. The database contains potentially sensitive information including user credentials, configuration data, and application content that could be exploited for further attacks. This type of vulnerability is classified as a weakness in access control mechanisms and aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control vulnerabilities where systems fail to properly enforce access restrictions. The flaw essentially creates a path traversal condition where the web server serves the database file directly without validating the requestor's authorization status.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed database file could contain user account information, application configuration settings, and potentially sensitive business data. Attackers could leverage this access to perform credential stuffing attacks, escalate privileges within the application, or use stolen information for further reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to the organization's overall security posture, as it demonstrates poor security practices in application deployment and configuration management. This flaw could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, modify application content, or potentially use the stolen data to launch more sophisticated attacks against the organization's infrastructure. The impact is particularly severe given that the vulnerability is easily exploitable through direct network requests without requiring complex attack vectors or specialized tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation of the deployment configuration and implementation of proper access controls. The primary fix involves moving the database file outside of the web root directory structure and ensuring that appropriate access controls are implemented to restrict direct file access. Organizations should implement proper authentication and authorization mechanisms before allowing access to any database files, and consider implementing additional security measures such as database encryption and secure file permissions. The remediation process should include reviewing all deployed applications for similar misconfigurations and implementing automated security scanning to identify potential access control issues. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and configuration management standards, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 which covers data from information repositories. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files, while ensuring that database files are properly secured through both network and file system level controls.