CVE-2024-4300: FS-EZViewer Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2024-4300 Overview

CVE-2024-4300 is a critical information exposure vulnerability affecting E-WEBInformationCo. FS-EZViewer(Web). The application exposes sensitive database configuration information through its webpage source code, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to obtain the database configuration file path. By accessing this path, attackers can retrieve database credentials with the highest privilege level along with the database host IP address. This sensitive information enables attackers to connect directly to the database and perform unauthorized operations including adding, modifying, or deleting database contents.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to obtain privileged database credentials and server information, enabling complete database compromise without any authentication requirements.

Affected Products

• E-WEBInformationCo. FS-EZViewer(Web)

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-04-29 - CVE-2024-4300 published to NVD
• 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-4300

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The core issue lies in the application's improper handling of sensitive configuration data, which is inadvertently exposed through the webpage source code. The exposure occurs without requiring any form of authentication, meaning any remote attacker with network access to the application can view and extract this sensitive information.

The vulnerability enables a complete attack chain: first, the attacker examines the webpage source code to discover the database configuration file path. Upon accessing this path, they obtain both the database credentials with maximum privileges and the database server's IP address. Armed with this information, the attacker can establish a direct connection to the backend database and perform any operation, including data exfiltration, modification, or deletion.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper information exposure in the web application design. The FS-EZViewer(Web) application fails to properly protect sensitive configuration information, allowing the database configuration file path to be embedded in or accessible through the webpage source code. This represents a fundamental security design flaw where sensitive infrastructure details are not adequately secured from unauthorized access.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by:

1. Accessing the FS-EZViewer(Web) application remotely over the network
2. Examining the webpage source code to locate the database configuration file path
3. Navigating to the exposed configuration file path
4. Extracting the database credentials and host IP address from the configuration
5. Using the obtained credentials to connect directly to the database server
6. Performing unauthorized database operations with the highest privilege level

The vulnerability is particularly severe as it provides attackers with privileged database access, enabling complete compromise of the database contents and potentially the underlying system.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-4300

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual or unauthorized access attempts to database configuration file paths on FS-EZViewer(Web) servers
• Unexpected database connections originating from unknown or external IP addresses
• Database authentication logs showing connections using the application's privileged credentials from non-standard sources
• Web server logs showing requests for configuration files or unusual path traversal patterns

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web server access logs for requests targeting configuration file paths or sensitive directories
• Implement database activity monitoring to detect unauthorized connections or privilege escalation attempts
• Deploy web application firewalls (WAF) to detect and block attempts to access sensitive file paths
• Conduct regular source code reviews to identify exposed sensitive information in web pages

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging on FS-EZViewer(Web) servers and correlate with database server logs
• Set up alerts for database connections from unexpected IP addresses or using application service accounts
• Implement file integrity monitoring on database configuration files to detect unauthorized access or modifications
• Review web application responses to ensure sensitive paths are not disclosed in source code or error messages

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-4300

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to FS-EZViewer(Web) installations to trusted IP addresses only until a patch is available
• Implement additional access controls or authentication mechanisms in front of the application
• Review and rotate database credentials that may have been exposed
• Audit database access logs for any signs of unauthorized access or suspicious activity
• Isolate affected systems from critical network segments if possible

Patch Information

Organizations should consult the TW-CERT Security Advisory for official remediation guidance and any available patches from E-WEBInformationCo. Contact the vendor directly for the latest security updates addressing this vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Implement network segmentation to restrict direct database access from untrusted networks
• Use a reverse proxy or WAF to filter requests and block access to configuration file paths
• Remove or obfuscate sensitive information from webpage source code if application modifications are possible
• Implement database access controls to restrict connections to specific application server IP addresses only
• Consider taking the application offline if it contains critical data and no immediate patch is available

Organizations should prioritize patching or implementing compensating controls given the critical nature of this vulnerability and the potential for complete database compromise.