CVE-2004-0665 in csFAQ
Summary
by MITRE
csFAQ.cgi in csFAQ allows remote attackers to gain sensitive information via an invalid database parameter, which reveals the path to the web server in an error message.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0665 affects the csFAQ.cgi script within the csFAQ application, representing a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes critical system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes an invalid database parameter, causing it to generate error messages that inadvertently reveal the server's file system path structure. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the web application's backend processing logic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to sanitize user input before passing it to database connection functions. When an attacker supplies malformed or invalid database parameters to the csFAQ.cgi script, the application's error handling routine does not adequately filter or suppress sensitive information that might be included in the generated error messages. This behavior aligns with CWE-209, which categorizes improper error handling that reveals sensitive information, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate the suppression of internal system details in error responses. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication or privileged access to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any remote attacker with basic network connectivity to the affected web server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed path information provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can be used for subsequent exploitation attempts. The exposed server paths may reveal directory structures, file locations, and potentially even database connection details that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as local file inclusion vulnerabilities or direct file system access attempts. This information disclosure creates a foundation for attackers to map the application's architecture and identify potential attack vectors, effectively reducing the attack surface and providing attackers with significant advantages in planning more targeted exploitation strategies. The vulnerability also violates principles established in the ATT&CK framework under the reconnaissance phase, specifically T1069.001 for credential access and T1083 for file and directory discovery, as it enables attackers to gather system information that would otherwise require more complex reconnaissance techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0665 should focus on implementing robust input validation and error handling procedures within the csFAQ application. The primary solution involves modifying the application code to sanitize all user-supplied parameters before processing them and ensuring that error messages generated during database connection failures do not contain sensitive path information or system details. Organizations should implement generic error handling routines that present users with standardized, non-descriptive error messages while logging detailed technical information securely for administrative review. Additionally, the application should be configured to disable detailed error reporting in production environments and implement proper access controls to limit the exposure of internal system paths. Security patches or updates to the csFAQ application should be applied immediately, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation approach should align with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and ISO/IEC 27001 standards, emphasizing the importance of secure error handling and information hiding principles to prevent attackers from gaining unauthorized insights into system configurations and architectures.