CVE-2009-2606 in ASP Football Pool
Summary
by MITRE
ASP Football Pool 2.3 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download the database file via a direct request for NFL.mdb.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2606 affects ASP Football Pool version 2.3, a web application designed for sports betting and fantasy football management. This flaw represents a critical misconfiguration that exposes sensitive data through improper access controls within the application's file structure. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of database files, specifically the NFL.mdb file that contains critical operational data including user information, betting records, and sports statistics. The web application fails to implement adequate authorization checks when serving database files, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to directly access and download sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the application's file serving mechanism, which does not properly validate access permissions before delivering database files to remote clients. The NFL.mdb file, typically stored in a location accessible through the web root directory structure, lacks proper access control mechanisms that would normally prevent unauthorized file retrieval. This misconfiguration creates a path traversal and information disclosure vulnerability where attackers can simply append the database filename to the web application's URL to obtain direct access. The flaw operates at the application layer and demonstrates poor security practices in file management and access control implementation, which aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-200 Information Exposure vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire application ecosystem. Remote attackers can obtain complete database dumps containing user credentials, personal information, betting histories, and other sensitive operational data that could be used for identity theft, financial fraud, or further exploitation of the system. The vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of the application's data, potentially disrupting services and creating compliance issues for organizations that handle sensitive user information. This type of exposure can lead to significant financial losses, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage for organizations running affected versions of the ASP Football Pool application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper access controls and file management practices. Organizations should relocate database files outside of the web root directory structure and implement proper authentication and authorization checks before serving any sensitive files. The application should enforce strict access controls that validate user permissions before allowing database file retrieval, preventing direct URL-based access to sensitive data files. Security measures should include implementing proper file access controls, restricting web server permissions for database files, and ensuring that database files are not directly accessible through web URLs. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations throughout the application infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper access control mechanisms as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. The remediation process should also include implementing web application firewalls, monitoring access logs for suspicious activity, and establishing proper incident response procedures to address potential data breaches resulting from such vulnerabilities.