CVE-2008-7063 in FAQ Manager Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Ocean12 FAQ Manager Pro stores sensitive data under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a database via a direct request for admin/o12faq.mdb.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7063 resides within the Ocean12 FAQ Manager Pro application, representing a critical misconfiguration that exposes sensitive database files to unauthorized access. This flaw demonstrates poor security practices in web application deployment where sensitive data is stored in accessible locations without proper access controls. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's handling of database files, allowing remote attackers to directly access and download the administrative database through a simple HTTP request targeting the path admin/o12faq.mdb. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security architecture where the database file is stored in a location that is directly accessible from the web root, violating basic security principles of least privilege and proper file access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper authentication and authorization mechanisms for database files. When the Ocean12 FAQ Manager Pro is installed, the database file o12faq.mdb is placed in the admin directory which is publicly accessible through the web server. This configuration allows any remote attacker to construct a direct URL request to access the database file without requiring any authentication credentials or authorization checks. The vulnerability can be exploited through simple HTTP requests, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no sophisticated attack techniques or privileged access. The flaw is classified under CWE-22 as Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which specifically addresses the issue of allowing access to files outside of intended directories through improper path handling or access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with direct access to the application's administrative database containing sensitive information. The database likely contains user credentials, configuration settings, FAQ content, and potentially other sensitive operational data that could be used for further attacks or system compromise. This exposure creates a significant risk for organizations using the application, as the database download could lead to complete system compromise through credential theft, data exfiltration, or as a stepping stone for additional attacks. The vulnerability also demonstrates a lack of proper security hardening practices during the application deployment process, indicating potential broader security weaknesses within the organization's web application infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate exposure and underlying architectural issues that allowed the problem to exist. The primary recommendation involves moving the database file out of the web root directory and implementing proper access controls that require authentication before allowing access to administrative files. Organizations should implement proper file permissions and access control lists to ensure that sensitive database files are not directly accessible through web requests. Additionally, the application should be configured with proper authentication mechanisms that validate user credentials before granting access to administrative functions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Databases, as it provides direct access to database content without proper authorization, and represents a failure to implement proper access control measures as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations, and application security should be integrated into the development lifecycle to prevent such vulnerabilities from being introduced in the first place.