CVE-2012-5916 in Seditio
Summary
by MITRE
Neocrome Seditio build 161 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to (1) docs/new/seditio-createnew-160.sql, (2) docs/upgrade/sedito_convert_to_utf8.optional.sql, or (3) system/install/install.parser.sql.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5916 affects the Neocrome Seditio content management system version 161, presenting a critical information disclosure risk that stems from improper access controls within the application's file structure. This flaw allows remote attackers to directly access sensitive database schema files and installation scripts through simple HTTP requests, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms that should protect these critical components from public exposure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the application's lack of proper access control validation for specific database-related files located within the application's documentation and installation directories. Attackers can directly request three specific files including docs/new/seditio-createnew-160.sql, docs/upgrade/sedito_convert_to_utf8.optional.sql, and system/install/install.parser.sql, which contain sensitive database structure information, conversion scripts, and installation procedures that should remain protected within the application's internal filesystem. These files typically contain database schema definitions, table structures, column names, and potentially sensitive configuration information that could aid in further exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed database scripts and installation files provide attackers with detailed knowledge of the application's internal database architecture and installation process. This information can significantly aid in subsequent attack phases including SQL injection exploitation, privilege escalation, and targeted attacks against the database layer. The vulnerability affects the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized access to files that should only be accessible to authorized administrators or system processes. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-200: Information Exposure, specifically manifesting as CWE-200.130: Exposure of Sensitive Information Through Direct Access to Files, which directly relates to the insecure direct object reference vulnerability pattern.
The attack surface is particularly concerning as these files contain not only database schema information but also installation procedures that could reveal sensitive configuration parameters, database connection strings, and potentially credential information. This exposure enables attackers to understand the application's database structure in detail, which can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as SQL injection attempts, data manipulation, or even database enumeration attacks. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002: Data from Information Repositories, where adversaries harvest information from databases and repository systems. The lack of proper access controls for these critical system files represents a fundamental security flaw in the application's architecture that violates basic security principles of file system access control and privilege management.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access controls for all sensitive files within the application's directory structure, including the implementation of authentication checks for database scripts and installation files. Organizations should conduct comprehensive file access reviews to ensure that sensitive system files are not directly accessible through web requests, and should implement proper file permissions and access control lists. The application should enforce proper authorization checks before serving any database-related files, and all files within the docs and system/install directories should be protected from direct web access. Additionally, regular security audits should be performed to identify and remediate similar access control vulnerabilities, and the application should be updated to a version that properly addresses these exposure issues. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and access control mechanisms, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.