CVE-2003-1555 in Scozbook
Summary
by MITRE
ScozNet ScozBook 1.1 BETA allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an invalid PG parameter in view.php, which reveals the installation path in an error message.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1555 affects ScozNet ScozBook 1.1 BETA, a web-based content management system that was widely used in the early 2000s for creating and managing online publications. This particular flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the application fails to properly validate user input parameters. The issue manifests specifically within the view.php script where the application processes a PG parameter that is intended to control page navigation or content display. When an attacker submits an invalid PG parameter value, the system generates an error message that inadvertently exposes the server's file system path structure. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-200, which describes information exposure through error messages, and demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to unauthorized information disclosure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it reveals critical system information that could be leveraged by attackers to plan more sophisticated attacks against the target environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's lack of proper parameter validation and error handling mechanisms. When the PG parameter is processed in view.php, the system does not adequately sanitize or validate the input before attempting to use it in file operations or path resolution. This allows malicious actors to inject malformed parameters that trigger internal error conditions, which are then displayed to the user in the browser. The error message contains the full server path where the application is installed, potentially exposing directory structures, file names, and even server configuration details that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability operates at the application level and requires no authentication or specialized tools beyond basic web browsing capabilities, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed installation path provides attackers with crucial intelligence for subsequent attack phases. The leaked path information could reveal the operating system type, web server configuration, and potentially sensitive directory structures that might contain additional vulnerabilities or confidential data. This information disclosure vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file system discovery, and represents a fundamental weakness in the application's security posture that could enable more advanced attack vectors. The exposure of system paths can facilitate path traversal attacks, privilege escalation attempts, or help attackers identify other potential entry points within the application or underlying infrastructure. Organizations using this vulnerable version of ScozBook would be at increased risk of targeted attacks, as the leaked information significantly reduces the attack surface complexity for determined adversaries.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation, error handling, and secure coding practices. The most effective immediate fix involves sanitizing all user input parameters before processing them within the application, specifically ensuring that the PG parameter in view.php is validated against a predetermined set of acceptable values. Additionally, the application should implement generic error messages that do not reveal system-specific information to end users, adhering to the principle of least privilege in error reporting. Organizations should also consider implementing proper logging of suspicious parameter values to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding guidelines and conducting regular security assessments of web applications, particularly those that handle user input in critical processing functions. System administrators should also ensure that vulnerable versions of ScozBook are updated or replaced with secure alternatives to prevent exploitation of this information disclosure vulnerability.