CVE-2012-5298 in Guestbook
Summary
by MITRE
Mavili Guestbook, as released in November 2007, stores guestbook.mdb under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to read the database via a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5298 affects Mavili Guestbook version released in November 2007, representing a critical misconfiguration issue that exposes sensitive database files to unauthorized access. This flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in access control implementation within the web application's file structure and security architecture. The vulnerability arises from the application's improper handling of database file placement, where the guestbook.mdb file is stored directly within the web root directory, making it immediately accessible through standard web requests without any authentication or authorization checks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a straightforward path where remote attackers can directly request the database file through a web browser or automated tools, bypassing all intended security controls. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference vulnerability, which maps to CWE-22 and CWE-639 in the CWE database, as it allows attackers to access resources they should not be permitted to reach. The flaw specifically manifests as insufficient access control mechanisms that should have been implemented to protect sensitive database files from direct web access, particularly given that database files are inherently sensitive and contain user data, comments, and potentially personal information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with complete access to the guestbook database content, which could include personal information, contact details, and potentially sensitive communications from users who submitted entries. This exposure creates risks for data confidentiality and integrity, as attackers can not only read the database contents but may also potentially modify or delete data if they can write to the directory structure. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk for privacy violations, as the database likely contains user-submitted content that individuals may not have intended for public access. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability enables reconnaissance and further exploitation opportunities, as the database content may reveal additional information about the application's structure or user base that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several ATT&CK framework techniques, particularly those related to credential access and reconnaissance activities, where attackers can obtain database credentials or sensitive information through direct file access. Mitigation strategies should focus on proper file placement outside the web root directory, implementation of access control mechanisms, and application-level authentication checks for database access. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and proper security architecture design, particularly in legacy applications that may not have been designed with modern security considerations in mind. Regular security assessments and proper file permission management should be implemented to prevent such misconfigurations from occurring in web applications. Additionally, organizations should implement automated scanning tools to identify similar misconfigurations in their web applications and ensure that sensitive files are properly protected through appropriate access controls and directory permissions.