CVE-2004-1565 in w-Agora
Summary
by MITRE
list.php in w-Agora 4.1.6a allows remote attackers to reveal the full path via a crafted HTTP request, possibly involving a malformed id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1565 affects w-Agora version 4.1.6a and represents a path disclosure issue that occurs within the list.php script. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure flaws that can provide attackers with sensitive system information. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the web application's processing of HTTP requests. When a remote attacker submits a specially crafted HTTP request containing a malformed id parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize this input before processing it, leading to the exposure of the full server path. This path disclosure vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can reveal critical information about the server's file structure and directory layout, which can then be leveraged by attackers to plan more sophisticated attacks.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's handling of user-supplied input through the id parameter, which is processed without adequate validation or sanitization. According to CWE-200, this vulnerability maps directly to information exposure through improper input handling, where the application inadvertently reveals internal system paths during error processing. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests, making it accessible to any remote attacker with network connectivity to the affected system. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to trigger error messages or debug information that contains the full filesystem path where the application is installed, potentially exposing sensitive details about the server configuration and file hierarchy.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can significantly aid in subsequent attack phases. The disclosed path information can be used to understand the application's directory structure, identify potential file locations, and plan more targeted attacks such as local file inclusion or directory traversal exploits. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) where the initial reconnaissance phase can lead to more severe compromise. The exposure of system paths can also reveal the underlying operating system, web server configuration, and application deployment details that attackers can use to tailor their exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1565 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The primary fix involves modifying the list.php script to validate and sanitize all user-supplied parameters, particularly the id parameter, before processing them. Implementing proper error handling that does not expose internal system information is crucial, as is ensuring that error messages do not contain path information or system-specific details. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malformed requests containing suspicious parameter patterns. Additionally, regular security code reviews and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as OWASP Top Ten, where improper error handling and input validation are consistently identified as critical security weaknesses. Regular updates and patches should be applied to ensure that known vulnerabilities in legacy applications like w-Agora 4.1.6a are addressed, as this particular version is considered outdated and may contain additional unpatched vulnerabilities.