CVE-2004-0736 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
The search module in Php-Nuke allows remote attackers to gain sensitive information via the (1) "**" or (2) "+" search patterns, which reveals the path in an error message.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0736 represents a critical information disclosure issue within the search functionality of Php-Nuke versions up to 7.9. This flaw exists in the search module implementation where specific wildcard characters trigger error messages containing sensitive system path information. The vulnerability manifests when attackers utilize either double asterisk "**" or plus sign "+" characters in their search queries, causing the application to return detailed error messages that expose the absolute file path of the web server installation. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-209, which specifically addresses error messages containing sensitive information, and represents a fundamental security weakness in the application's error handling mechanisms. The exposure of system paths creates significant risk for attackers as it provides them with crucial reconnaissance data that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of search parameters within the Php-Nuke application's search interface. When a user submits a search query containing the specified wildcard characters, the search module fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing it through the underlying search engine. This lack of proper input validation allows the application to generate error messages that contain the complete file path to the Php-Nuke installation directory, including the root path where the application is deployed on the web server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it does not require authentication or special privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker with basic knowledge of web application exploitation techniques. The error message generation process directly violates security best practices by exposing internal system information that should remain hidden from end users and potential attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical system reconnaissance data that can significantly aid in subsequent exploitation phases. The revealed file paths can be used to identify the exact version of Php-Nuke installed, the web server configuration, and the directory structure of the target system. This information can be leveraged for path traversal attacks, local file inclusion vulnerabilities, or to craft more sophisticated attack vectors targeting other weaknesses within the same system. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under ATT&CK framework, specifically related to reconnaissance and initial access phases where adversaries gather information about the target system. The exposure of system paths can also facilitate privilege escalation attempts, as attackers may discover additional files or directories that contain sensitive configuration data, database credentials, or other system artifacts that could be exploited to gain deeper access to the system.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling within the search module. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user input before processing search queries, particularly filtering or escaping wildcard characters that could trigger error conditions. Organizations should implement comprehensive error handling that prevents the exposure of system paths in error messages regardless of the input provided. This includes configuring the application to return generic error messages that do not contain sensitive information, while logging detailed error information securely for administrative purposes only. Additionally, the search module should be updated to properly validate and sanitize search parameters, ensuring that wildcard characters are either properly escaped or handled within the application's search logic rather than allowing them to propagate to error generation functions. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls or intrusion prevention systems that can detect and block suspicious search patterns, providing an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper error handling and input validation in web applications, as outlined in industry security standards and best practices for preventing information disclosure attacks.