CVE-2012-3357 in ViewVC
Summary
by MITRE
The SVN revision view (lib/vclib/svn/svn_repos.py) in ViewVC before 1.1.15 does not properly handle log messages when a readable path is copied from an unreadable path, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information, related to a "log msg leak."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3357 affects ViewVC versions prior to 1.1.15 and stems from improper handling of log messages within the SVN revision view component. This issue manifests in the lib/vclib/svn/svn_repos.py file where the system fails to adequately sanitize or filter log message data when paths are copied from unreadable to readable locations. The flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain access to sensitive data that should otherwise remain restricted.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the SVN repository access control mechanisms within ViewVC's version control library. When a user copies a path from an unreadable location to a readable one, the system incorrectly retains and exposes log message metadata from the original restricted path. This behavior creates a scenario where attackers can traverse repository structures and extract confidential information that was not intended for their access level. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of access control and data sanitization, allowing unauthorized information retrieval through manipulated path operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability compromises the confidentiality of repository data by enabling attackers to obtain sensitive log messages that may contain proprietary information, security credentials, system details, or other confidential metadata. The exploit requires minimal privileges since it leverages existing repository browsing functionality rather than requiring elevated access rights. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with basic repository access, potentially leading to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or exposure of internal system configurations.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1567.002 for exfiltration through unauthorized access to sensitive data. Organizations using affected ViewVC versions face significant risk of unauthorized data access, particularly in environments where repository contents contain sensitive business information, source code, or system configurations. The issue demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient access control enforcement in the repository browsing component, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited across multiple repository operations.
Mitigation strategies include upgrading to ViewVC version 1.1.15 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly handle log message sanitization during path copying operations. Administrators should also implement additional monitoring of repository access patterns to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves strengthening the access control validation within the svn_repos.py module to ensure that log messages from inaccessible paths are properly filtered before being exposed to users. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their repository access controls and consider implementing additional logging mechanisms to track sensitive data access patterns.