CVE-2004-0355 in Invision Board
Summary
by MITRE
Invision Power Board 1.3 Final allows remote attackers to gain sensitive information by selecting a file for "Personal Photo" that is not an image file, which displays the installation path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0355 affects Invision Power Board version 1.3 Final, a widely used web-based bulletin board system that was prevalent in the early 2000s. This security flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and improper error handling within web applications. The vulnerability specifically manifests when users attempt to upload or select files for their "Personal Photo" functionality, which is a common feature in community forums and social platforms. When an attacker uploads or references a file that is not a legitimate image format, the application fails to properly validate the file type and instead displays an error message containing the server's installation path. This behavior constitutes a path disclosure vulnerability that directly violates security best practices and exposes critical system information to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's lack of proper file type validation mechanisms. When users submit files for their personal photos, the system does not adequately verify that the uploaded content conforms to expected image file formats such as jpeg, png, or gif. Instead, the application processes the file submission and when it encounters an invalid file type, it generates an error message that inadvertently reveals the absolute file path of the installation directory. This occurs because the error handling routine does not sanitize the output before displaying it to users, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information about the server's file structure and configuration. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which specifically addresses the improper handling of sensitive information in error messages, and also relates to CWE-434, which covers the insecure upload of files with dangerous types. The error message typically contains information such as the full directory path where the application is installed, which can include server root paths, application directories, and potentially even database connection details or configuration file locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure and creates significant risks for system compromise. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can gain detailed knowledge about the server environment, including directory structures, file paths, and potentially even version information about the installed software. This information serves as a crucial foundation for more sophisticated attacks, as it enables attackers to plan targeted exploitation strategies. The disclosed installation paths may reveal the presence of other applications or services running on the same server, potentially exposing additional attack vectors. Furthermore, the information can be used for directory traversal attacks, where attackers attempt to access files outside the intended upload directory, or for privilege escalation attempts if the server configuration exposes sensitive files or directories. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the initial access phase of the attack lifecycle as defined by the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically relating to the T1078 technique for valid accounts and T1190 technique for exploit public-facing applications. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation practices that are commonly exploited in web application security breaches, particularly in the context of file upload functionalities where attackers often attempt to bypass security controls to upload malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and secure error handling practices. The most effective immediate fix involves ensuring that all file uploads undergo strict validation against a whitelist of approved file extensions and MIME types before any processing occurs. The application should reject files that do not conform to expected image formats and provide generic error messages that do not disclose system information. Additionally, the error handling routine must be modified to sanitize all output and prevent the display of installation paths or other sensitive information in error messages. Security configurations should enforce proper file permissions and ensure that uploaded files are stored in directories with restricted access. Organizations should also implement comprehensive logging of file upload activities to detect and respond to suspicious attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include input validation, proper error handling, and secure file management. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper error handling and input validation in preventing information disclosure attacks that can serve as precursors to more serious security breaches.