CVE-2003-1468 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
The Web_Links module in PHP-Nuke 6.0 through 6.5 final allows remote attackers to obtain the full web server path via an invalid cid parameter that is non-numeric or null, which leaks the pathname in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1468 represents a classic path disclosure flaw within the Web_Links module of PHP-Nuke versions 6.0 through 6.5 final. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them within the application's core functionality. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application encounters an invalid cid parameter that is either non-numeric or null, creating an opportunity for remote attackers to extract sensitive server path information from error messages generated during the processing of malformed input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper parameter validation within the Web_Links module's code execution flow. When a user submits a request containing an invalid cid parameter, the application's error handling mechanism inadvertently reveals the complete server path through error message output. This occurs because the application does not properly validate or sanitize the cid parameter before attempting to process it, leading to an error condition that exposes directory structure information to unauthenticated remote attackers. The flaw operates at the application layer and demonstrates poor secure coding practices regarding input sanitization and error handling.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system security and privacy. The disclosure of full web server paths provides attackers with critical information about the target system's directory structure, which can serve as a foundation for subsequent attacks including directory traversal exploits, path manipulation attempts, and other privilege escalation techniques. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by exposing system-level information that should remain hidden from external parties. This type of information disclosure can enable attackers to craft more sophisticated attacks against the system, as they now possess knowledge about the server's file structure that would otherwise be protected.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes weaknesses related to information exposure, and represents a clear violation of secure coding principles that should prevent the disclosure of internal system information through error messages. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, as it provides adversaries with information about the file system structure. The vulnerability also relates to T1212 - Exploitation for Credential Access when combined with other techniques that may leverage the disclosed path information to access sensitive files or directories. Organizations should treat this vulnerability as a critical security concern requiring immediate remediation through proper input validation and error handling procedures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing robust input validation mechanisms that reject non-numeric or null values for the cid parameter before any processing occurs. The application should employ proper parameter sanitization techniques and ensure that error messages do not contain sensitive path information. Organizations should also implement comprehensive error handling that prevents the disclosure of internal system details through user-facing error messages. Additionally, regular security code reviews and the implementation of automated input validation checks can prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases. The most effective remediation involves updating to patched versions of PHP-Nuke or implementing proper parameter validation within the Web_Links module to ensure that only valid numeric parameters are accepted for the cid field.