CVE-2010-5078 in SilverStripe
Summary
by MITRE
SilverStripe 2.3.x before 2.3.10 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain version information via a direct request to (1) apphire/silverstripe_version or (2) cms/silverstripe_version.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-5078 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within SilverStripe content management systems. This issue affects versions 2.3.x prior to 2.3.10 and 2.4.x prior to 2.4.4, where sensitive system information is inadvertently exposed through improper access controls. The flaw specifically manifests when attackers can directly request version files located at apphire/silverstripe_version or cms/silverstripe_version paths, thereby gaining unauthorized access to critical system metadata.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate file permissions and access control mechanisms within the SilverStripe framework. When these version files are stored under the web root directory without proper restrictions, they become accessible to any remote user who can construct the appropriate HTTP request. This misconfiguration creates an attack surface that exposes version information, which can be leveraged by malicious actors to identify the exact software version in use. The CWE-200 standard categorizes this as "Information Exposure" and specifically relates to "Information Exposure Through Sent Data" where sensitive data is transmitted without proper access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as version information serves as a crucial piece of intelligence for attackers planning targeted exploits. Knowing the precise SilverStripe version allows threat actors to determine which known vulnerabilities might be applicable to the target system, significantly reducing the effort required for exploitation. This information can be used to craft more effective attack vectors, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The ATT&CK framework would classify this as a reconnaissance technique under the "Reconnaissance" phase, specifically targeting "System Information Discovery" to gather intelligence about the target environment.
From a security perspective, the vulnerability demonstrates poor security-by-design principles in the application's architecture. The web root directory contains not only static assets but also sensitive system files that should be protected from public access. This misconfiguration violates fundamental security practices that require proper separation of concerns between publicly accessible content and system-critical files. The exposure of version information creates a significant risk because it enables attackers to bypass initial reconnaissance phases and immediately proceed to exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement proper file access controls, ensure sensitive files are not stored in web-accessible directories, and conduct regular security audits to identify similar misconfigurations. The recommended mitigation involves updating to the patched versions 2.3.10 and 2.4.4, which implement proper access controls for version files, and establishing comprehensive security policies that prevent sensitive information disclosure through web server configurations.