
Sample of Admin activity logs | Source: CloudSEK
A recent report by CloudSEK’s BeVigil reveals how a common web misconfiguration, namely enabled directory listings, led to a severe data exposure incident.
The report highlights the risks associated with leaving directory listings enabled in production environments. This feature, while useful during development, can allow unrestricted access to a directory’s contents if no default webpage is configured.
BeVigil’s Web App Scanner identified multiple vulnerable URLs, exposing highly sensitive files, which were part of directories updated daily. This granted attackers ongoing access to fresh data, including authentication tokens, PII data, audit logs and stats, and even database backups.
“Directory listing, when enabled, allows unrestricted access to a directory’s contents if no default webpage is configured,” the report states. “While useful during development, this feature can lead to catastrophic data exposure if left active in production environments.”
The exposed data included:
- Data related to user account activities, such as reset requests or access logs, which could allow malicious actors to compromise user accounts, steal identities, or conduct unauthorized activities.
- Logs detailing admin operations, which attackers could leverage to study patterns, identify potential weaknesses, and replicate legitimate activities to avoid detection while executing malicious actions.
- Critical insights into database operations, such as query logs and activity records, which could help attackers uncover system vulnerabilities or directly extract sensitive data.
It underscores the need for organizations to regularly scan for and address potential vulnerabilities to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.