CWE-530: Exposure of Backup File to an Unauthorized Control Sphere
Learn about CWE-530 (Exposure of Backup File to an Unauthorized Control Sphere), its security impact, exploitation methods, and prevention guidelines.
What is Exposure of Backup File to an Unauthorized Control Sphere?
• Overview: This vulnerability occurs when backup files are stored in directories that unauthorized users can access. These backup files often contain sensitive information or source code, making them a target for attackers.
• Exploitation Methods:
- Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by scanning directories for backup files that are exposed and accessible over a network.
- Common attack patterns include web directory scanning tools that look for files with specific backup extensions like .~bk, .bak, .old, or similar.
• Security Impact:
- Direct consequences include unauthorized access to sensitive data or source code contained in backup files.
- Potential cascading effects involve the exposure of vulnerabilities found in the old code, which could be exploited further.
- Business impact includes data breaches, intellectual property theft, and potential damage to reputation.
• Prevention Guidelines:
- Specific code-level fixes include ensuring that backup files are not stored in publicly accessible directories.
- Security best practices involve regularly auditing file permissions and access controls, and removing or safely storing backup files.
- Recommended tools and frameworks include using configuration management tools to automate file permission settings and employing web application firewalls to block unauthorized access attempts.
Technical Details
Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified
Affected Languages: Not specified
Affected Technologies: Not specified