CVE-2001-1437 in Easynews
Summary
by MITRE
easyScripts easyNews 1.5 allows remote attackers to obtain the full path of the web root via a view request with a non-integer news message id field, which leaks the path in a PHP error message when the script times out.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1437 affects easyScripts easyNews version 1.5, a web-based news management system that suffers from a path disclosure flaw in its handling of user input. This vulnerability represents a classic example of improper input validation and error handling that exposes sensitive system information to remote attackers. The flaw occurs when the application processes a view request containing a news message id field that is not properly validated as an integer. When an attacker submits a non-integer value, the application fails to handle this invalid input gracefully, leading to a PHP error message that inadvertently reveals the full file system path of the web root directory.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's lack of proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. When the script encounters a non-integer news message id parameter, it attempts to process the invalid input and eventually times out due to the malformed data. During this timeout scenario, PHP generates an error message that includes the absolute path to the web root directory where the application is installed. This path disclosure occurs because the application does not implement proper error handling that would suppress or log errors without exposing system paths to end users. The vulnerability specifically exploits the PHP error reporting behavior where internal script failures result in verbose error messages containing system paths, which is a well-documented weakness in web applications that lack proper exception handling.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability provides attackers with critical information that significantly aids in subsequent exploitation attempts. The disclosed path information allows attackers to understand the server's file structure and potentially identify other vulnerable components or misconfigurations within the system. This information can be used in conjunction with other attack vectors to perform directory traversal attacks, file inclusion vulnerabilities, or to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting specific system components. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to reconnaissance and credential access, as the path disclosure serves as a foundational step for attackers to map the target environment and plan further exploitation activities.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the application. Developers should enforce strict data type validation for all user-supplied parameters, particularly numeric fields, by implementing explicit integer validation before processing. The application should utilize try-catch blocks or similar error handling constructs to prevent PHP errors from being exposed to end users. Additionally, proper logging mechanisms should be implemented to record invalid input attempts without revealing system paths in error messages. Configuration changes to disable verbose error reporting in production environments can also help prevent path disclosure. The solution must ensure that all user input is properly sanitized and validated before processing, and that error messages are generic and do not contain sensitive system information. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and input validation rules that can detect and block suspicious parameter values before they reach the vulnerable application code, thereby preventing exploitation of this and similar path disclosure vulnerabilities.