CVE-2008-6493 in Easy Content Management Publishing
Summary
by MITRE
Easy Content Management Publishing stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a database via a direct request for Database/News.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-6493 affects Easy Content Management Publishing software where sensitive database files are stored in directories accessible through the web root without proper access controls. This configuration represents a critical security flaw that exposes database contents to unauthorized remote access. The specific file mentioned is Database/News.mdb which contains potentially sensitive information that should not be publicly accessible. This issue stems from poor security practices in web application deployment where database files are placed in publicly accessible directories without appropriate authorization mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests as an inadequate access control implementation within the web application's file system permissions. When the application stores database files under the web root directory structure, it creates a situation where any remote attacker can directly request these files through standard http protocols. The vulnerability allows for a direct request attack pattern where an attacker simply needs to know the file path to retrieve the database file. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks and improper file access controls that violate fundamental security principles. The weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with immediate access to potentially sensitive data contained within the database. Depending on the nature of the content stored in News.mdb, this could include user credentials, personal information, business data, or other confidential materials. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation requires no local system access or complex attack chains, making it particularly dangerous. Attackers can simply construct a URL request to access the database file directly, bypassing any application-level security controls that might normally protect such data. This vulnerability essentially eliminates any server-side access control for the database file, creating a clear path for data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation of the file placement issue and implementation of proper access controls. The database files must be moved outside of the web root directory structure to prevent direct web access. Additionally, proper authentication and authorization mechanisms should be implemented to ensure that only authorized users can access database content through the application interface. Web server configuration should be reviewed to ensure that sensitive directories are properly protected and that direct file access is prevented. Organizations should implement the principle of least privilege and ensure that all sensitive data is protected through appropriate access controls. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and proper security architecture design to prevent such exposure scenarios. The issue also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which involves data from information repositories, emphasizing the need for proper access control and data protection measures.