CVE-2010-0674 in StatCounteX
Summary
by MITRE
StatCounteX 3.1 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a database via a direct request for path/stats.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0674 affects StatCounteX version 3.1, a web analytics tool that suffers from improper access control mechanisms. This flaw resides in the application's configuration where sensitive database files are stored in directories accessible through the web root, creating a critical security exposure that can be exploited by remote attackers without authentication. The specific file affected is path/stats.mdb which contains statistical data and potentially sensitive information about website visitors and usage patterns.
This vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference, where the application fails to implement proper access controls to protect sensitive resources. The flaw stems from the application's design decision to place database files within the web-accessible directory structure, allowing any remote user who knows the file path to directly request and download the database file. The insufficient access control mechanism means that the application does not verify whether the requesting user has proper authorization to access the stats.mdb file, effectively bypassing any authentication or authorization checks that should normally be in place.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to the statistical database containing potentially sensitive information about website visitors, including IP addresses, browser details, and other analytics data. This exposure can lead to privacy violations, competitive intelligence gathering, and potential further exploitation if the database contains additional sensitive information or if attackers can use the collected data for social engineering attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges or authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker with basic knowledge of the application's directory structure.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a failure to implement proper security controls at the application level. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this as a privilege escalation technique where an attacker gains access to resources they should not be able to access, potentially leading to data exfiltration and further system compromise. Organizations using StatCounteX 3.1 should immediately implement mitigations including moving database files outside of the web root directory, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms, and conducting thorough security reviews of all web applications to identify similar insecure configurations. Additionally, regular security testing and vulnerability assessments should be performed to prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications within the organization's infrastructure.