CVE-2002-1723 in Powerboards
Summary
by MITRE
Powerboards 2.2b allows remote attackers to view the full path to the backend database by sending a cookie containing a non-existent username to profiles.php, which displays the full path in the error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1723 affects Powerboards 2.2b, a content management system that suffers from insecure error handling practices. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability where the application fails to properly sanitize user input before processing it through backend systems. When a remote attacker sends a cookie containing a non-existent username to the profiles.php script, the system does not adequately validate or sanitize this input before attempting to process it against the backend database. The application's error handling mechanism then exposes the complete file path structure of the backend database in the resulting error message, providing attackers with detailed system architecture information.
This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-209, which describes the improper handling of exceptions or errors that reveal sensitive information about the system. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and error management practices that violate fundamental security principles. The error message contains the full path to the backend database, which can include directory structures, file names, and potentially sensitive system information that could be leveraged by attackers for further exploitation. The exposure of this information creates a significant risk for attackers who can use these paths to understand the application's file structure and potentially identify other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can be used for privilege escalation or additional attacks. The full path exposure can reveal database connection parameters, file locations, and system directory structures that might not be visible through normal network scanning. This information can be particularly valuable for attackers attempting to exploit other vulnerabilities within the same system or when planning more sophisticated attacks that require knowledge of the application's internal structure. The vulnerability affects remote attackers who do not require any authentication to exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms. The system should sanitize all user input, including cookie values, before processing them through backend systems. Error messages should be generic and not contain system-specific information such as file paths or database locations. Implementing proper exception handling that prevents sensitive information from being exposed in error messages aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and follows the principle of least privilege in error reporting. Additionally, the application should be updated to a newer version of Powerboards that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the issue appears to be resolved in later versions of the software. Organizations should also implement proper logging and monitoring to detect attempts to exploit such vulnerabilities, and consider implementing web application firewalls that can help filter out malicious input patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar issues that may exist in other parts of the application stack.