CVE-2018-12604 in GreenCMS
Summary
by MITRE
GreenCMS 2.3.0603 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request for Data/Log/year_month_day.log.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2025
GreenCMS version 2.3.0603 contains a critical information disclosure vulnerability that stems from inadequate access controls and improper file system permissions. This vulnerability exists within the application's logging mechanism where log files are stored in a publicly accessible directory structure. The specific flaw allows remote attackers to directly request log files through a predictable path pattern Data/Log/year_month_day.log without requiring authentication or authorization. This represents a classic case of improper access control as defined by CWE-284, where the application fails to properly restrict access to sensitive resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exposes the application's logging infrastructure to unauthorized access. Log files typically contain sensitive operational data including user activities, system errors, database queries, and potentially authentication attempts that could reveal system vulnerabilities. When attackers can directly access these files through a simple HTTP request, they gain immediate access to information that should remain protected within the application's internal security boundaries. The predictable naming convention of year_month_day.log files makes this attack vector particularly effective as it requires no additional reconnaissance to determine the exact file paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating potential cascading security risks for the affected system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can obtain detailed insights into the application's behavior, user patterns, and system stability issues. This information can be leveraged to plan more sophisticated attacks, identify additional vulnerabilities, or conduct targeted social engineering campaigns. The exposure of log files may reveal sensitive data such as session identifiers, API keys, database connection strings, or other credentials that could lead to further compromise of the system. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1005 (Data from Local System) techniques that attackers commonly employ to gather intelligence.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and restricting direct file system access to sensitive resources. Organizations should immediately implement authentication checks for all file access requests and ensure that log files are stored outside of publicly accessible directories. The application should enforce proper authorization mechanisms that validate user privileges before granting access to any sensitive data. Additionally, implementing proper logging controls that prevent sensitive information from being written to log files in the first place can significantly reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities. Security measures should also include regular monitoring of access patterns and implementing automated alerts for unusual file access attempts. The solution aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, specifically addressing the principle of least privilege and secure configuration management.