CVE-2004-1205 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
codebrowserpntm.php in PnTresMailer 6.03 allows remote attackers to gain sensitive information via an invalid filetohighlight parameter, which reveals the full path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1205 affects PnTresMailer version 6.03 and represents a classic information disclosure flaw that can be exploited by remote attackers to obtain sensitive system information. This issue manifests through the codebrowserpntmphp script which fails to properly validate user input parameters, specifically the filetohighlight parameter. When an invalid value is provided to this parameter, the application generates an error message that inadvertently exposes the full server path where the application is installed. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper error handling and sensitive data exposure, which are commonly classified under CWE-209 Information Exposure Through an Error Message and CWE-362 Concurrent Execution Using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of input sanitization and proper error message generation practices that can provide attackers with critical system information for further exploitation attempts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker sends a malformed request to the codebrowserpntmphp endpoint with an invalid filetohighlight parameter value. The application processes this input without proper validation and subsequently generates an error message that includes the complete file system path. This path disclosure can reveal directory structures, file locations, and potentially even server configuration details that would otherwise remain hidden from unauthorized users. The flaw essentially creates an information leak that can be leveraged by attackers to understand the application's deployment environment and potentially identify other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovering system information and T1213 for data from information repositories, as it provides attackers with system-level information that can be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within a network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with foundational knowledge required for more sophisticated attacks. The exposed full path can be used to craft more targeted attacks against the specific application or server environment, potentially leading to directory traversal attacks, file inclusion vulnerabilities, or other path-based exploits. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations as it can be exploited without authentication and provides attackers with immediate access to system layout information that would normally require more complex reconnaissance efforts. Security professionals should note that this type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the application is deployed in production systems, as the disclosed paths may contain sensitive information about the server configuration and application architecture. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a clear security risk that can be exploited by automated scanning tools or determined attackers to gain intelligence for more advanced attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the application code. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user input parameters before processing them, implementing generic error messages that do not reveal system information, and ensuring that error handling routines do not expose sensitive path information. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls or security modules that can detect and block suspicious parameter values that might trigger such information disclosure errors. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of following secure coding practices and the necessity of proper error handling in web applications, as outlined in various security standards including those from the Open Web Application Security Project and OWASP Top Ten. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring systems that can detect unusual error patterns or information disclosure attempts that might indicate exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.