CVE-2024-7809 in Online Graduate Tracer System
Summary
by MITRE • 08/15/2024
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Online Graduate Tracer System 1.0. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /tracking/nbproject/. The manipulation leads to exposure of information through directory listing. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7809 resides within the SourceCodester Online Graduate Tracer System version 1.0, representing a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive system information through directory listing mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the /tracking/nbproject/ directory path, which appears to contain configuration files or project metadata that should remain inaccessible to unauthorized users. The issue stems from improper access controls and directory traversal configurations that allow remote attackers to enumerate directory contents without authentication. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-548, which addresses information exposure through directory listing, and represents a fundamental failure in access control implementation. The affected system configuration suggests that development artifacts or project-specific metadata are inadvertently exposed in a production environment, creating a significant information disclosure risk.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote access methods, enabling attackers to browse the contents of the nbproject directory without proper authorization. This directory listing exposure typically reveals project configurations, build settings, database connection strings, or other sensitive metadata that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The fact that this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is considered exploitable means that threat actors can readily leverage this information to plan more sophisticated attacks against the system. The remote attack vector eliminates the need for physical access or local system compromise, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) and T1566 (Phishing for Information), as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-7809 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed directory contents could contain sensitive configuration data that enables attackers to understand the system architecture and identify potential attack vectors. The nbproject directory typically contains netbeans project metadata which may include database credentials, API keys, or other system-specific configurations that could facilitate privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to gather intelligence about the underlying system infrastructure, potentially leading to more severe compromises. The exposure of development artifacts also violates security best practices for production environments, where development-specific files should never be accessible to end users or external parties. Organizations utilizing this system face increased risk of credential theft, system compromise, and potential data breaches. The vulnerability's classification as publicly disclosed and exploitable means that automated scanning tools could identify and exploit this weakness across multiple installations, amplifying the potential impact.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-7809 require immediate implementation of access control measures to prevent unauthorized directory enumeration. System administrators should remove or secure the /tracking/nbproject/ directory from public accessibility through web server configuration changes, ensuring that development artifacts are not exposed in production environments. The recommended approach involves implementing proper directory permissions, web server access controls, and removing unnecessary development files from production deployments. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities across other directories and files. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to development directories, while regular security assessments should verify that no sensitive information remains exposed. The fix should align with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for information system security and privacy protection. Implementation of automated security scanning tools can help detect and remediate similar directory listing vulnerabilities across the organization's infrastructure, ensuring that development artifacts remain isolated from production environments and that proper access controls are maintained throughout the system architecture.