CVE-2009-0571 in Mailist
Summary
by MITRE
admin.php in Ninja Designs Mailist 3.0 stores backup copies of maillist.php under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to the backup directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0571 resides within the Ninja Designs Mailist 3.0 application where administrative functionality is implemented through admin.php. This flaw represents a critical misconfiguration that exposes backup files to unauthorized access, creating a significant information disclosure risk for systems running this mail list management software. The vulnerability specifically affects the backup file management process where maillist.php backup copies are stored within the web root directory structure, making them accessible through standard web requests without proper authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control measures within the application's file management system. When the application generates backup copies of maillist.php, it places these files in a location that is directly accessible via the web server, without implementing proper authorization checks or access restrictions. This design flaw allows remote attackers to directly request backup files through standard http protocols, bypassing any intended security controls that should prevent unauthorized access to system configuration files. The backup files typically contain sensitive information including database connection details, administrative credentials, and potentially other configuration parameters that could be used to compromise the entire system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed backup files may contain critical system configuration data that could be leveraged for further attacks. Attackers could potentially extract database connection strings, administrative passwords, or other sensitive parameters that would enable them to gain deeper access to the underlying system infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper access control, and represents a classic example of insecure file handling practices that violate fundamental security principles. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by automated scanning tools or casual attackers.
From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories, where attackers can extract sensitive configuration files from backup locations. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of T1566.001 for phishing with malicious attachments, as backup files containing system credentials could be used to craft targeted attacks. Organizations running affected versions of Ninja Designs Mailist 3.0 should immediately implement mitigations including restricting web access to backup directories, implementing proper access controls for sensitive files, and conducting thorough security audits of all application components. The most effective immediate remediation involves removing or securing backup files through proper file permissions, ensuring that no backup copies exist in web-accessible directories, and implementing robust access control policies that prevent unauthorized file retrieval through direct web requests.