CVE-2003-1242 in Sage
Summary
by MITRE
Sage 1.0 b3 allows remote attackers to obtain the root web server path via a URL request for a non-existent module, which returns the path in an error message.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1242 affects Sage 1.0 beta 3, a web application framework that suffers from improper error handling mechanisms. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability where the system inadvertently reveals sensitive path information through error responses generated during processing. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker submits a URL request for a non-existent module within the application, causing the system to generate an error message that includes the absolute root web server path. This behavior directly violates fundamental security principles by exposing system internals that should remain hidden from external entities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's error handling routine which fails to sanitize error messages before returning them to client systems. When Sage encounters a request for a non-existent module, it attempts to process the request and subsequently generates an error response containing the full filesystem path where the application resides on the server. This path disclosure occurs without any access control checks or sanitization of the error output, making it trivial for remote attackers to obtain sensitive information about the server's filesystem structure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as "Information Exposure" and represents a specific instance of improper error handling that violates the principle of least privilege.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple path disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical reconnaissance information that can be leveraged in subsequent attacks. Once an attacker obtains the root web server path, they can potentially map the entire application structure, identify sensitive directories, and plan more sophisticated attacks such as directory traversal or local file inclusion exploits. This information disclosure creates a foundation for further compromise and can significantly reduce the attack surface complexity for threat actors. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) as it enables attackers to gather system information and potentially escalate privileges through path-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1242 should focus on implementing proper error handling and sanitization protocols within the Sage application framework. Organizations should ensure that all error messages returned to clients are generic and do not contain system-specific information such as file paths, server names, or internal system details. The recommended approach involves implementing centralized error handling routines that log detailed errors internally while returning minimal information to external clients. Security configurations should include disabling verbose error messages in production environments and implementing proper input validation to prevent the system from attempting to process non-existent modules in ways that would expose system paths. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that error handling mechanisms properly sanitize all output to prevent information leakage, and that the application follows secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines.