CVE-2014-8722 in GetSimple
Summary
by MITRE
GetSimple CMS 3.3.4 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to (1) data/users/<username>.xml, (2) backups/users/<username>.xml.bak, (3) data/other/authorization.xml, or (4) data/other/appid.xml.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8722 affects GetSimple CMS version 3.3.4 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive user and system data through direct web requests. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control and information exposure, specifically manifesting as a lack of proper authentication and authorization checks when accessing critical configuration files. The flaw allows remote attackers to retrieve sensitive information without requiring valid credentials or administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the CMS is publicly accessible.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the CMS framework. Attackers can directly request specific XML files that contain user authentication credentials, application identifiers, and authorization data. The affected paths include data/users/<username>.xml which contains user account information including hashed passwords, backups/users/<username>.xml.bak which provides backup copies of user data that may contain additional sensitive information, data/other/authorization.xml which holds authorization rules and permissions, and data/other/appid.xml which contains application identifiers and potentially system configuration details. These files are stored in directories that are directly accessible via web requests, bypassing proper authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with comprehensive information that can be leveraged for further attacks within the system. Access to user XML files means attackers can obtain password hashes and user account details, potentially enabling credential reuse attacks or account takeover attempts. The authorization.xml file exposure could reveal permission structures and access control policies, while the appid.xml file may contain system identifiers that could be used for targeted attacks. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor security design in the CMS implementation, as sensitive data should never be exposed through unauthenticated web requests.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Credential Access - Credentials in Files. Organizations using GetSimple CMS 3.3.4 should immediately implement mitigations including restricting access to sensitive directories through web server configuration, implementing proper authentication mechanisms for all data files, and ensuring that backup files are not publicly accessible. Additionally, the CMS should be updated to a version that addresses this vulnerability, as the affected version lacks proper access control for configuration files. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to these specific paths, and regular security audits should verify that no sensitive files are exposed through web access. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure configuration management and proper access control implementation in content management systems to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.