CVE-2002-0445 in PHP Firstpost
Summary
by MITRE
article.php in PHP FirstPost 0.1 allows allows remote attackers to obtain the full pathname of the server via an invalid post number in the post parameter, which leaks the pathname in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0445 affects PHP FirstPost version 0.1 and represents a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system path information to remote attackers. This vulnerability exists within the article.php script which processes post parameters and fails to properly validate input before attempting to access or display content. When an attacker submits an invalid post number through the post parameter, the application generates an error message that inadvertently reveals the complete server pathname. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information exposure through error messages, which is classified as CWE-209 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw demonstrates poor error handling practices where the application does not sanitize or filter error messages before displaying them to users, creating a direct avenue for attackers to gather system information that could be used for subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the PHP FirstPost application. When the post parameter contains an invalid value, the script attempts to process the request but encounters a failure condition that triggers an error message generation. Rather than implementing proper error handling that suppresses or sanitizes path information, the application directly incorporates the system path into the error output. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities to obtain sensitive information, specifically focusing on credential access through information gathering. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it provides attackers with precise file system paths that can be used to map the server structure, identify potential attack vectors, and plan more sophisticated exploitation strategies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it significantly weakens the overall security posture of systems running the affected software. Attackers who discover the full server path can leverage this information to craft more targeted attacks, potentially identifying other vulnerable components within the same directory structure or discovering misconfigured permissions that might allow further exploitation. The leaked pathname could reveal the exact location of the application files, database connection details, or other sensitive configuration information that exists within the same directory hierarchy. This vulnerability represents a fundamental security flaw in the application's defensive design, as it violates the principle of least privilege and information hiding. Organizations using PHP FirstPost 0.1 are exposed to increased risk of privilege escalation attacks, as the leaked information provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data needed to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to system resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling practices that prevent sensitive information disclosure. The recommended approach involves modifying the article.php script to validate post parameters before processing and to implement generic error messages that do not reveal system path information. Organizations should also consider implementing comprehensive logging mechanisms to detect and respond to exploitation attempts, while ensuring that error handling routines follow security best practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. The fix should include sanitizing all error outputs and implementing proper exception handling that does not expose internal system details. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications, as this type of information disclosure flaw remains common in legacy software implementations and represents a significant risk when not properly addressed through defensive programming practices.