CVE-2013-0651 in Intelligent Platforms Proficy Real-Time Information Portal
Summary
by MITRE
The Portal installation process in GE Intelligent Platforms Proficy Real-Time Information Portal stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to read configuration files, and discover data-source credentials, via a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-0651 represents a critical security flaw in the GE Intelligent Platforms Proficy Real-Time Information Portal software during its installation phase. This issue stems from improper handling of sensitive configuration data within the web application's directory structure, creating an exploitable condition that directly compromises the system's security posture. The vulnerability specifically affects the portal installation process where critical system information is inadvertently exposed to unauthorized users through the web server's document root directory. This misconfiguration allows attackers to access sensitive data that should remain protected within the system's internal configuration files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the installation process failing to properly secure sensitive information that is typically stored in web-accessible directories. When the portal installation occurs, configuration files containing database credentials and other sensitive connection parameters are placed in locations that are directly accessible via HTTP requests. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control enforcement, as the system fails to implement adequate authorization checks before serving sensitive content. The vulnerability operates through a straightforward exploitation technique where remote attackers can simply construct direct HTTP requests to access these exposed configuration files, bypassing any intended access controls or authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more severe attacks within the affected system. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability gain access to database connection credentials and other configuration parameters that can be used to establish unauthorized database connections and potentially escalate privileges within the system. This exposure creates opportunities for data theft, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive operational data that the portal is designed to protect. The vulnerability essentially removes the security boundary that should exist between the installation process and the web-accessible portion of the application, allowing attackers to access information that should remain protected within the system's internal configuration management.
The flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure" and specifically relates to improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to sensitive information. Additionally, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1083, "File and Directory Discovery," as attackers can systematically locate and access sensitive configuration files through direct web requests. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of T1566, "Phishing," in the context of initial access, as attackers might use the discovered credentials to gain further system access. Organizations running affected versions of the Proficy Real-Time Information Portal should implement immediate mitigations including proper access control configuration, removal of sensitive files from web-accessible directories, and implementation of automated security scanning to detect similar misconfigurations. The remediation process should involve ensuring that all configuration files containing sensitive information are stored outside of the web root and that appropriate file permissions are enforced to prevent unauthorized access to system configuration data.