CVE-2023-49545 in Customer Support System
Summary
by MITRE • 03/02/2024
A directory listing vulnerability in Customer Support System v1 allows attackers to list directories and sensitive files within the application without requiring authorization.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2024
The directory listing vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49545 affects the Customer Support System v1 application, representing a critical security flaw that exposes unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. This vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and improper configuration of web server directories, allowing malicious actors to enumerate and access files that should remain protected. The flaw exists within the application's file system navigation mechanisms, where directory traversal paths are not properly secured or validated. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain visibility into the application's internal structure, potentially discovering configuration files, source code, database credentials, and other sensitive information that could lead to further exploitation. The vulnerability directly violates security principles of least privilege and access control, as it enables unauthorized users to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and directly access system resources through simple directory requests.
This technical flaw manifests as a failure in the application's security configuration where directory access controls are either absent or improperly implemented, creating an information disclosure vulnerability that falls under CWE-548. The vulnerability allows attackers to perform directory listing operations against the web server, typically through crafted http requests that target directories containing sensitive data. When the web server responds to these requests without proper authorization checks, it inadvertently reveals the directory structure and file names, providing attackers with valuable reconnaissance information. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as this vulnerability can lead to privilege escalation, data theft, and potentially full system compromise. The weakness represents a failure in the application's security architecture and configuration management, as proper directory access controls should prevent unauthorized listing of files and directories.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-49545 is significant for organizations using the Customer Support System v1, as it creates multiple attack vectors for malicious actors. Once exploited, attackers can identify sensitive files such as database connection strings, application configuration files, and potentially source code repositories that contain hard-coded credentials or other security-sensitive information. The vulnerability enables attackers to map the application's file structure, identify potential entry points for further exploitation, and gather intelligence for more sophisticated attacks. This information disclosure can lead to data breaches, system compromise, and regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability also increases the attack surface for the organization, as it provides attackers with detailed knowledge of the application's internal architecture and file organization. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) techniques, as attackers can use the information gathered to plan more targeted attacks against the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-49545 should focus on implementing proper access controls and server configuration hardening measures. Organizations should disable directory listing features on web servers and ensure that all directory access requests are properly authenticated and authorized. The application should be configured to return appropriate error messages rather than directory listings when unauthorized access attempts are made. Security patches should be applied immediately to address the vulnerability, and proper input validation should be implemented to prevent directory traversal attacks. Network segmentation and access control lists should be configured to limit access to sensitive directories. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their systems. The remediation process should include reviewing all web server configurations, implementing proper file permissions, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts. Regular security training for development teams should emphasize secure coding practices and proper access control implementation to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future applications.