CVE-2003-1316 in eNdonesia
Summary
by MITRE
mod.php in eNdonesia 8.2 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a (quote) value in the lng parameter, which reveals the path in an error message. NOTE: The provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1316 affects the mod.php component of eNdonesia 8.2, a web application framework that was prevalent in the early 2000s. This issue represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that occurs when error messages inadvertently reveal system paths and internal application structure details to remote attackers. The flaw specifically manifests when an attacker manipulates the lng parameter by injecting a quote character, which triggers an error response that exposes the underlying file system path where the application is installed. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper error handling and sensitive data exposure, which are commonly categorized under CWE-209 and CWE-210 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental security weakness in how the application processes user input and handles error conditions, particularly when dealing with localization parameters that are not properly sanitized or validated.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a simple parameter manipulation attack where an attacker sends a malformed lng parameter value containing a quote character to the mod.php script. When the application attempts to process this parameter without proper input validation, it generates an error message that includes the full file system path where the application is installed. This path disclosure provides attackers with crucial information about the server environment, including directory structures, file locations, and potentially the operating system configuration. The error message typically contains stack traces or specific error reporting that reveals the internal architecture of the application, making it easier for attackers to plan subsequent attacks. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it provides attackers with the foundation for more sophisticated attacks such as local file inclusion or remote code execution by understanding the exact file system layout and structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly weakens the overall security posture of the affected system. Attackers who obtain the file system paths can use this information to craft more targeted attacks, including directory traversal attacks, local file inclusion exploits, or even to identify other potential vulnerabilities within the application. The exposure of system paths also provides attackers with insights into the application's deployment configuration, which may reveal the use of specific software versions, operating system characteristics, or deployment practices that could be exploited in combination with other vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) as it provides the initial reconnaissance information necessary for more advanced attack vectors. The impact is particularly severe in environments where the application is deployed on shared hosting systems or where the application paths reveal sensitive information about the hosting environment or other deployed applications.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability involve implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used for localization and configuration purposes. The application should be configured to suppress detailed error messages in production environments and instead display generic error pages to users. Additionally, the code should be reviewed to ensure that all parameter values are properly validated before processing, and that error handling routines do not expose internal system information. Implementing proper logging mechanisms to detect and alert on suspicious parameter values can also help identify exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls or security headers that can help prevent parameter manipulation attacks, and ensure that all applications are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities. The fix should include proper exception handling that prevents the application from revealing internal paths or system information in error responses, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards.