SQLite Exposure Scanner

Generic Databases are commonly used by web applications to manage and store data efficiently. These databases are integral to a wide variety of applications across different domains including logistics, finance, healthcare, and e-commerce, serving as back-end systems. Developers and administrators utilize these databases to dynamically handle users' data including customer profiles, transaction records, and other sensitive information in a structured manner. They can work with different frameworks and are supported by numerous platforms, offering high flexibility. Many web frameworks have default configurations for these databases which, if not managed securely, can cause vulnerabilities. Their widespread use and critical nature necessitate robust security configurations to prevent unauthorized access or data exposure.

Database exposure occurs when sensitive database files become accessible due to improper server configuration. This vulnerability can lead to unintended data exposure, where sensitive information such as user profiles, password hashes, and financial details may be leaked. Configurations or practices that allow these files to be publicly accessible can exponentially increase security risks. If left unchecked, these exposure incidents can catalyze further security breaches, resulting in data theft or unauthorized access to sensitive resources. Besides immediate data loss, this can also lead to compliance violations particularly in sectors governed by strict data regulations. Effective detection and control are essential in safeguarding against such vulnerabilities.

The vulnerability stems from certain frameworks having predefined locations for SQLite database files which might not have adequate protection by default. These include locations such as 'database/database.sqlite' and 'db/production.sqlite3' among others. If a server is misconfigured and these paths are accessible via a web server, an attacker could access the database files by simply visiting the URL. Files should ideally reside in directories that do not have public access permissions set. By exploiting such configurations, attackers can retrieve raw database files and subsequently access the data contained within, or use them in conjunction with other exploits.

When exposed, malicious individuals may download the accessible SQLite database files and parse through them to extract valuable information. This can lead to data leakage compromising user privacy with unauthorized access to personal data, including emails, passwords (even if hashed), and financial information. Attackers might exploit this information to launch further attacks like phishing, credential stuffing, or identity theft. On a larger scale, the reputation of organizations could be severely impacted leading to customer distrust and potential financial losses. Moreover, it may lead to violations of data protection laws and regulations, resulting in fines and legal issues for the responsible entity.

REFERENCES

• https://laravel.com/docs/x/database#sqlite-configuration
• https://github.com/laracasts/larabook/blob/master/app/config/database.php#L51
• https://github.com/codeigniter4projects/playground/blob/develop/.env.example#L33
• https://symfony.com/doc/current/doctrine.html#configuring-the-database
• https://openclassrooms.com/forum/sujet/symfony3-sqlite-could-not-create-database
• https://symfony.com/doc/current/reference/configuration/doctrine.html#doctrine-dbal-configuration
• https://sqldocs.org/sqlite/sqlite-nodejs/
• https://stackoverflow.com/questions/41620788/error-database-connection-sqlite-is-missing-or-could-not-be-created-cakephp
• https://levelup.gitconnected.com/how-to-connect-and-use-the-sqlite-database-in-codeigniter-3-48cd50d3e78d
• https://docs.laminas.dev/tutorials/getting-started/database-and-models/
• https://phalcon-nucleon.github.io/#!database/getting-started.html
• https://www.yiiframework.com/doc/blog/1.1/en/prototype.database
• https://doc.nette.org/en/database/configuration#toc-single-connection
• https://www.sqlite.org/fileformat.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_file_signatures