CVE-2003-0456 in Visnetic Website
Summary
by MITRE
VisNetic WebSite 3.5 allows remote attackers to obtain the full pathname of the server via a request containing a folder that does not exist, which leaks the pathname in an error message, as demonstrated using _vti_bin/fpcount.exe.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0456 represents a classic path disclosure issue affecting VisNetic WebSite 3.5 software. This flaw manifests when remote attackers submit requests containing non-existent folder paths, causing the application to return error messages that inadvertently reveal the complete server filesystem path. The specific demonstration using _vti_bin/fpcount.exe illustrates how the software fails to properly sanitize error outputs, creating a security exposure that directly compromises server information disclosure.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-209, which describes improper error handling that leads to information disclosure. The flaw occurs at the application level where error messages are generated without adequate sanitization of path information. When the web server encounters a request for a non-existent resource within the _vti_bin directory structure, it returns an error message containing the full pathname to the requested location. This information disclosure creates a foundation for further attacks by providing attackers with knowledge of the server's directory structure and file system layout.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical reconnaissance data that can be leveraged for subsequent exploitation attempts. The leaked path information can be used to understand the server's configuration, identify potential weak points in the file system hierarchy, and plan more sophisticated attacks. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves exploiting application vulnerabilities to gain information about the target system. The disclosed paths may reveal sensitive directories, file locations, and potentially expose other vulnerabilities through path traversal patterns.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly concerning as it enables attackers to perform reconnaissance without requiring authentication or special privileges. The flaw exists in the error handling mechanism of the web application, where the system fails to properly manage error conditions by stripping or obfuscating sensitive path information from error messages. This represents a fundamental security weakness in input validation and error reporting that affects the application's ability to maintain confidentiality of system information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper error handling practices that prevent path information disclosure. Organizations should ensure that all error messages are sanitized to remove any system-specific information, particularly pathnames and directory structures. The solution involves modifying the web application to return generic error messages that do not contain sensitive path information. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization routines can prevent the conditions that trigger the vulnerable error handling paths. Security patches or updates to VisNetic WebSite 3.5 should address the root cause by ensuring that all error outputs are properly filtered to prevent information leakage. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing comprehensive error handling that does not expose system internals to potential attackers.