CVE-2009-0732 in Downloadcenter
Summary
by MITRE
Downloadcenter 2.1 stores common.h under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain user credentials and other sensitive information via a direct request. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0732 represents a critical access control flaw within the Downloadcenter 2.1 software system. This issue stems from improper configuration of file permissions and directory access controls, where the common.h file is placed within the web root directory without adequate security restrictions. The web root directory is typically accessible to all users of the web server, making any files stored there potentially vulnerable to unauthorized access. This configuration creates a direct pathway for remote attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain access to sensitive system components.
The technical flaw manifests through the insecure placement of the common.h file, which likely contains configuration data, system parameters, or credential information. When this file resides in the web root directory, it becomes directly accessible via standard web requests without requiring proper authentication or authorization checks. The vulnerability allows attackers to perform direct requests to access this file, potentially exposing sensitive information such as database connection strings, user credentials, API keys, or other confidential data that should remain protected within the system. This represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and proper access control implementation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations using Downloadcenter 2.1. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to obtain user credentials, which may lead to further system compromise through privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. The exposure of sensitive information could result in unauthorized access to databases, system administration capabilities, or other critical resources. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or local network credentials to leverage this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments. This type of vulnerability directly violates security best practices and can lead to data breaches, system compromise, and regulatory compliance violations.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for malicious file execution. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including removing sensitive files from web-accessible directories, implementing proper access controls, and ensuring that all configuration files are stored in secure locations outside the web root. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar configuration flaws. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper file permission management and the critical need to separate sensitive system components from publicly accessible web directories to maintain system integrity and protect against unauthorized access.