CVE-2008-6940 in Web Hosting Directory
Summary
by MITRE
TurnkeyForms Web Hosting Directory stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain a database backup via a direct request to admin/backup/db.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
This vulnerability resides in TurnkeyForms Web Hosting Directory software where sensitive database backup files are stored in a location accessible through the web root directory structure. The flaw represents a critical misconfiguration that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control enforcement. Attackers can directly access database backup files by requesting specific paths such as admin/backup/db without authentication or authorization checks, exposing potentially sensitive data including user credentials, personal information, and system configurations. This misconfiguration allows for unauthorized data exfiltration and can lead to complete system compromise through the exploitation of exposed database contents.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the web application's directory structure. The software fails to properly enforce authentication requirements for accessing backup directories, creating an insecure direct object reference condition that directly violates the principle of secure access control. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in access control mechanisms where the application provides access to resources without proper authorization checks. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control and CWE-312 which covers exposure of sensitive data through improper handling of data elements.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential system compromise and regulatory compliance violations. Remote attackers can obtain database backups containing user accounts, passwords, and system configurations that may lead to further exploitation through credential reuse attacks or privilege escalation. The exposed backup files often contain unencrypted sensitive information making them particularly valuable to threat actors. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad and can result in significant financial losses, legal penalties, and reputational damage for affected organizations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access control mechanisms and reconfiguring the web application's directory structure to prevent direct access to sensitive backup files. Organizations should immediately relocate backup directories outside the web root and implement proper authentication and authorization checks for all administrative functions. The solution must include enforcing access control at multiple levels including web server configuration, application-level security controls, and proper file system permissions. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege by ensuring only authorized personnel can access backup functionality and establishing regular security audits to identify similar misconfigurations. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper security configuration management and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 which addresses data from information repositories and T1078 which covers valid accounts for persistence and access.