CVE-2009-1053 in chaozzDB
Summary
by MITRE
chaozzDB 1.2 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-2009-1053 affects chaozzDB versions 1.2 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in web application configuration and access control mechanisms. This issue stems from improper handling of sensitive data within the application's file structure, where database files containing user credentials are stored in directories accessible through the web root. The flaw directly violates fundamental security principles regarding data protection and access restriction, creating an avenue for unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web server configuration where the chaozzDB application places its database files in publicly accessible directories. Specifically, the user.tsv file containing user credentials is positioned in a location where direct HTTP requests can retrieve the entire file without proper authentication or authorization checks. This configuration error allows remote attackers to bypass normal access controls by simply crafting a direct request to the database file, effectively eliminating any application-level security measures that might otherwise protect user information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant impact for organizations using affected versions of chaozzDB. The exposure of user credentials through a simple direct request means that attackers can obtain complete user databases containing usernames, passwords, and potentially other sensitive information. This provides adversaries with immediate access to user accounts and enables further attacks such as credential stuffing, privilege escalation, or lateral movement within compromised networks. The vulnerability essentially transforms the database into a publicly accessible repository of authentication information.
The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as this flaw aligns with multiple cybersecurity standards and attack patterns. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in access control mechanisms where sensitive data is improperly protected, specifically categorized under CWE-200 Information Exposure. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Credential Access: Valid Accounts where adversaries can leverage exposed credentials to gain unauthorized access to systems. Additionally, the improper storage of sensitive information under web root directory demonstrates a failure in proper data protection practices and secure configuration management.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves reconfiguring the web server to prevent direct access to database files through the web root, moving sensitive data to non-web-accessible directories and implementing proper access controls. Application-level fixes should include enforcing authentication checks before any database access requests are processed, while network-level controls should involve implementing web application firewalls to detect and block direct database file access attempts. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive security audits to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations throughout their infrastructure, ensuring that all sensitive data is properly protected through appropriate access control mechanisms. Regular security testing and vulnerability assessments should be implemented to prevent similar issues from emerging in future deployments.