CVE-2009-1052 in FireAnt
Summary
by MITRE
FireAnt 1.3 and earlier stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a database containing user credentials via a direct request for user.tsv.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1052 affects FireAnt versions 1.3 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in web application design and data protection practices. This issue stems from improper handling of sensitive data within the application's file structure, creating an exploitable condition that directly compromises user authentication information. The vulnerability manifests when the application stores database files containing user credentials in directories accessible through the web root, fundamentally undermining the principle of least privilege and proper access control mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the insecure placement of user.tsv files within the web-accessible directory structure. These files contain user credentials in plain text format, making them immediately accessible to any remote attacker who knows the specific file path. The vulnerability operates through a direct request mechanism where attackers can bypass normal application authentication flows and retrieve the database file directly from the server. This represents a classic case of insufficient access control where the application fails to implement proper authorization checks before serving sensitive data, allowing arbitrary access to user authentication information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with immediate access to user credentials that can be used for unauthorized system access, account takeover, and potential lateral movement within compromised networks. The vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the CWE-200 category, which addresses "Information Exposure" and specifically targets the improper restriction of information access. Attackers can leverage this flaw to obtain authentication tokens, passwords, and other sensitive user data without requiring any special privileges or complex exploitation techniques, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user credentials are not properly protected.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for credential access and T1078 for valid accounts, as it enables attackers to acquire legitimate user credentials through direct file access rather than through more sophisticated attack vectors. The impact is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability affects the core authentication infrastructure of the application, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to systems and escalate privileges. Organizations using affected versions of FireAnt face significant risk of credential theft and unauthorized access, as the flaw eliminates the need for complex exploitation methods and provides direct access to user authentication data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1052 require immediate implementation of proper access controls and secure file placement practices. Organizations should relocate sensitive database files outside the web root directory and implement robust access control mechanisms that verify user authorization before serving any sensitive information. The solution involves ensuring that all files containing user credentials or authentication data are properly protected through access control lists, file permissions, and application-level authorization checks. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization can prevent attackers from guessing file paths or exploiting directory traversal vulnerabilities that might compound the issue. Regular security audits and penetration testing should verify that sensitive data is properly protected and that no files containing user credentials are accessible through the web server's document root.