Netrc - Config File Discovery

What is "Netrc - Config File Discovery?"

The "Netrc - Config File Discovery" module is designed to detect the presence of a Netrc configuration file. This module targets systems that use the Netrc file for storing login credentials for various services. The severity of this module is classified as high, indicating the potential risk associated with the exposure of sensitive information. The original author of this module is geeknik.

Impact

If the Netrc configuration file is exposed, it can potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive accounts and services. The file may contain login credentials, including usernames and passwords, which can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to systems and compromise data.

How does the module work?

The "Netrc - Config File Discovery" module works by sending HTTP requests to specific paths, such as "/.netrc" and "/_netrc". It then applies matching conditions to determine if a Netrc configuration file is present. The matching conditions include:

- Checking the HTTP response status code to ensure it is 200. - Using regular expressions to match the format of the Netrc file, which starts with the keyword "machine" followed by a valid domain name. - Searching for specific keywords, such as "login" and "password", within the file content.

If all the matching conditions are met, the module reports the presence of the Netrc configuration file as a potential vulnerability.

Example HTTP request:

GET /.netrc

For more information about the Netrc file, you can refer to the official documentation.