CVE-2014-2301 in BSCW
Summary
by MITRE
OrbiTeam BSCW before 5.0.8 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive metadata via the inf operations (op=inf) to an object in pub/bscw.cgi/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2301 affects OrbiTeam BSCW versions prior to 5.0.8, representing a significant security flaw in the web-based collaboration platform that enables unauthorized access to sensitive metadata. This issue resides within the pub/bscw.cgi/ component of the application, specifically when processing inf operations with the op=inf parameter. The vulnerability constitutes a classic information disclosure weakness that can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on this collaboration system for sensitive business operations.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of metadata retrieval requests within the BSCW application's web interface. When attackers send specific requests using the op=inf parameter to objects within the pub/bscw.cgi/ directory, the system fails to properly validate or restrict access to metadata information that should remain confidential. This vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege in information security. The flaw allows attackers to extract metadata about objects stored within the system, potentially revealing sensitive information such as file names, creation dates, user ownership details, and other system-internal data that could aid in further exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the metadata obtained could provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance information for planning more sophisticated attacks. Organizations using affected BSCW versions face significant risk of data leakage, particularly in environments where the collaboration platform hosts sensitive business documents, project information, or proprietary data. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from any location without requiring physical access to the network, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing), as it enables initial reconnaissance activities that could lead to more extensive breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2301 primarily involve upgrading to OrbiTeam BSCW version 5.0.8 or later, which includes proper access controls and metadata sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the affected cgi component, particularly in environments where the vulnerability cannot be immediately patched. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious requests containing the op=inf parameter and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block such exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of their BSCW implementations to identify all instances of the vulnerable software and ensure proper access controls are in place to prevent unauthorized metadata retrieval. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in web applications to prevent information disclosure attacks that can compromise entire organizational data ecosystems.