CVE-2004-0130 in phpGedView
Summary
by MITRE
login.php in phpGedView 2.65 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an HTTP request to login.php that does not contain the required username or password parameters, which causes the information to be leaked in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0130 affects phpGedView version 2.65 and earlier, representing a critical information disclosure flaw in the authentication mechanism. This vulnerability manifests when the login.php script processes HTTP requests that lack the required username or password parameters, creating an exploitable condition where sensitive system information becomes exposed through error messages. The flaw demonstrates a classic improper error handling vulnerability that violates fundamental security principles of input validation and error message sanitization. Such vulnerabilities are categorized under CWE-209, which specifically addresses error messages containing sensitive information, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 for Exploitation for Credential Access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate input parameters before processing authentication requests. When an attacker submits a malformed HTTP request to the login.php endpoint without the expected authentication parameters, the phpGedView application generates an error message that inadvertently reveals internal system details. This includes potentially sensitive information such as database connection strings, file paths, or system configurations that should remain hidden from unauthorized users. The vulnerability exploits the application's weak input validation controls, where the system does not adequately sanitize or validate the presence of required parameters before attempting to process the authentication logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains access to sensitive system information that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks including database exploitation, privilege escalation, or further system compromise. The exposure of internal system details through error messages creates a significant risk for organizations using vulnerable versions of phpGedView, particularly those managing genealogical data that may contain personal information subject to privacy regulations. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad, as it compromises the system's ability to maintain proper access controls and protect sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0130 should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the phpGedView application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to phpGedView version 2.66 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement proper error message handling that does not reveal system-specific information to users, ensuring that all error responses are generic and do not contain sensitive data. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for suspicious request patterns. The implementation of proper logging and monitoring mechanisms will help detect exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application's codebase. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and error handling in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive personal data.