CVE-2010-0004 in ViewVC
Summary
by MITRE
ViewVC before 1.1.3 composes the root listing view without using the authorizer for each root, which might allow remote attackers to discover private root names by reading this view.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0004 affects ViewVC versions prior to 1.1.3, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of the version control system interface. This issue specifically impacts the root listing view functionality where the application fails to enforce proper authorization checks for each root directory, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to validate user permissions when generating the root listing view, allowing remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and discover the names of private repositories or directories that should be hidden from unauthenticated or unauthorized users.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's authorization implementation where the root listing view operates without invoking the proper authorizer function for each individual root entry. This design oversight means that when ViewVC constructs the listing of available roots, it does not verify whether the current user has appropriate permissions to access each root directory. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it exposes the directory structure of version control systems, potentially revealing sensitive information about private repositories, project names, and organizational access patterns. Attackers can exploit this weakness by simply requesting the root listing view, which would normally be restricted, to enumerate all available roots and their corresponding names without requiring valid authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be used for further exploitation attempts. By discovering private root names, attackers gain insight into the structure and organization of version control systems, potentially identifying sensitive projects or repositories that may contain confidential code, credentials, or other valuable information. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can be categorized under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Version Control Systems. The exposure of root names can facilitate targeted attacks against specific repositories, enable social engineering attempts, and provide attackers with information needed to craft more sophisticated exploitation strategies.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires updating to ViewVC version 1.1.3 or later, which implements proper authorization checks for root listing views. Organizations should also review their existing configurations to ensure that appropriate access controls are in place and that users cannot bypass authentication mechanisms. Network administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring to detect unusual access patterns to version control systems and ensure that proper logging is enabled to track access attempts to sensitive repositories. The fix addresses the core authorization flaw by ensuring that each root entry in the listing view is properly validated against the user's permissions before being included in the response, thereby maintaining the security boundaries of the version control system and preventing unauthorized enumeration of private resources.