CWE-529: Exposure of Access Control List Files to an Unauthorized Control Sphere
Learn about CWE-529 (Exposure of Access Control List Files to an Unauthorized Control Sphere), its security impact, exploitation methods, and prevention guidelines.
What is Exposure of Access Control List Files to an Unauthorized Control Sphere?
• Overview: This vulnerability occurs when access control list (ACL) files, which define permissions for resources, are stored in locations accessible by unauthorized users. This misconfiguration allows potential attackers to gain insight into system or application security configurations.
• Exploitation Methods:
- Attackers can access ACL files to understand permission settings and identify weaknesses.
- Common attack patterns include directory traversal, where attackers navigate through directories to locate and access these files.
• Security Impact:
- Direct consequences include unauthorized access to sensitive configuration details.
- Potential cascading effects involve attackers using configuration information to escalate privileges or plan further attacks.
- Business impact may include data breaches, compromised systems, and loss of customer trust.
• Prevention Guidelines:
- Ensure ACL files are stored in directories with restricted access permissions.
- Implement role-based access controls to limit who can view or modify ACL files.
- Use tools and frameworks that provide secure default configurations for file storage.
- Regularly audit access permissions and configurations to ensure they align with security policies.
- Employ security mechanisms like encryption for sensitive configuration files.
Technical Details
Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified
Affected Languages: Not specified
Affected Technologies: Not specified