CVE-2009-1941 in PAD Site Scripts
Summary
by MITRE
PAD Site Scripts 3.6 stores sensitive information under the web document root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download the database and obtain sensitive information via a direct request for dbbackup.txt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1941 affects PAD Site Scripts version 3.6, a web-based content management system that was widely used for creating and managing website content. This particular flaw represents a critical configuration error that exposes sensitive data through improper access controls. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement adequate security measures when storing database backup files within the web accessible directory structure. The specific file dbbackup.txt contains database credentials and potentially sensitive user information, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to compromise the system. This issue demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of secure file handling practices within web applications, where administrative data should never be placed in directories accessible to unauthenticated users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's default configuration where database backup files are stored in the web document root directory without proper access restrictions. When an attacker can directly request dbbackup.txt through a web browser or automated tools, they bypass any authentication mechanisms that should normally protect database credentials and user information. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference, where the application fails to validate access permissions before serving sensitive files. The flaw operates at the application level rather than requiring complex exploitation techniques, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any attacker with basic web browsing capabilities. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')" and also relates to CWE-284 as "Improper Access Control."
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations using PAD Site Scripts 3.6 across various industries including e-commerce, corporate websites, and content management platforms. Successful exploitation allows attackers to obtain complete database backups containing user credentials, personal information, financial data, and other sensitive materials. This exposure can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, system compromise, and regulatory violations under data protection laws such as gdpr and pci dss. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat as long as the application remains unpatched, since the database backup files typically contain information about all users and system configurations. Organizations may face significant financial losses, reputational damage, and legal consequences from data breaches resulting from this flaw. The attack surface is broad as any website running this vulnerable version becomes immediately exploitable, making it a target for automated scanning tools and opportunistic attackers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1941 should focus on immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate fix involves moving database backup files outside the web document root directory and implementing proper access controls using web server configuration files such as .htaccess or equivalent access control mechanisms. Organizations should also implement file permission controls to ensure that backup files are not accessible through web requests. Regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations across all web applications. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that files containing sensitive information are only accessible to authorized system processes and administrators. Additionally, organizations should establish automated monitoring systems to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files and implement regular vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in other applications. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper file handling and access control configuration in web applications, aligning with attack techniques documented in the mitre att&ck framework under the privilege escalation and credential access domains.