CVE-2008-7008 in Web Host Directory
Summary
by MITRE
HyperStop Web Host Directory 1.2 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and download a database backup via a direct request to admin/backup/db.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2025
This vulnerability exists in HyperStop Web Host Directory version 1.2 where improper access controls allow remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and directly access sensitive administrative functions. The flaw specifically manifests in the backup database functionality located at the path admin/backup/db which can be accessed without proper authentication credentials. This represents a critical security oversight where the application fails to implement proper authorization checks before allowing access to administrative backup operations. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized database backups, potentially exposing sensitive data including user credentials, personal information, and application data that may be stored in the database. This type of flaw falls under the category of inadequate authentication controls and weak access restriction mechanisms, which are commonly classified as CWE-287 - Improper Authentication. The vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and credential access domains where adversaries attempt to bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to sensitive resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to validate user permissions before processing requests to administrative endpoints. When a remote attacker sends a direct HTTP request to the admin/backup/db path, the system does not verify whether the requesting entity possesses appropriate administrative privileges. This creates an authentication bypass condition where any remote user can access the backup functionality regardless of their role or authorization status. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and access control implementation, as the application assumes that legitimate administrative access is automatically granted to requests made to specific paths. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for complete database extraction without requiring valid login credentials, potentially leading to data breaches, information disclosure, and further exploitation opportunities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data compromise and system integrity violations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract complete database backups containing sensitive information such as user accounts, passwords, application configuration details, and potentially proprietary business data. The exposure of database backup files can lead to credential reuse attacks, where stolen database contents may contain hashed passwords or plaintext credentials that can be exploited in subsequent attacks. Organizations using this software version face significant risk of unauthorized data access and potential regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments subject to data protection regulations like gdpr or hipaa. The vulnerability also enables attackers to potentially identify system configurations, database structures, and application logic that could be used for further exploitation or lateral movement within the network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper access controls and authentication enforcement. Organizations should ensure that all administrative endpoints, particularly those related to backup operations, require valid authentication before processing requests. The application should implement role-based access controls where only authorized administrative users can access backup functionality. Network-level mitigations include implementing firewall rules to restrict access to administrative paths and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block unauthorized access attempts. Regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar access control flaws in other application components, as this vulnerability often indicates broader security implementation issues. Additionally, organizations should implement proper logging and monitoring of administrative access attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should involve upgrading to a patched version of HyperStop Web Host Directory or implementing compensating controls such as authentication middleware that enforces proper authorization checks before allowing access to sensitive administrative functions. This vulnerability highlights the importance of conducting thorough security testing of administrative interfaces and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical system functions from unauthorized access.