CVE-2008-6815 in MyKtools
Summary
by MITRE
mykdownload.php in MyKtools 2.4 does not require administrative authentication, which allows remote attackers to read a database backup by making a direct request, and then sending an unspecified request to the download page for the backup.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6815 resides within the mykdownload.php script of MyKtools version 2.4, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that exposes sensitive database backup files to unauthorized remote access. This issue stems from the application's failure to implement proper administrative authentication checks before permitting access to the database backup download functionality, creating a significant security gap that directly violates fundamental security principles of access control and privilege management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and authentication verification within the web application's request handling process. When an attacker makes a direct request to the mykdownload.php endpoint, the script fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses administrative privileges or valid authentication credentials before proceeding with the backup file retrieval operation. This absence of proper authorization checks creates an unauthenticated access vector that allows remote attackers to bypass the application's intended security controls and directly access sensitive database backup files without any form of authentication verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as database backups typically contain comprehensive sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, application configurations, and business-critical information. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could obtain complete database snapshots, potentially leading to data breaches, identity theft, system compromise, and extensive business disruption. The vulnerability also enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities by examining database structures and content, which can inform subsequent attack phases and potentially lead to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the affected system.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Databases, highlighting the exploitation of weak access controls to obtain sensitive data. The flaw represents a failure in implementing proper access control mechanisms and demonstrates the critical importance of enforcing authentication requirements for all administrative functions within web applications. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple systems utilizing MyKtools 2.4 indicates a systemic security weakness that requires immediate remediation through proper authentication implementation and access control enforcement.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing robust administrative authentication checks within the mykdownload.php script, ensuring that all requests to the backup download functionality require valid administrative credentials before proceeding. This includes implementing proper session management, enforcing role-based access controls, and validating user privileges before granting access to sensitive operations. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities within their web applications and implement defense-in-depth strategies including network segmentation, access logging, and regular security audits to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system resources and maintain compliance with security standards and regulatory requirements.