CVE-2004-1579 in CubeCart
Summary
by MITRE
index.php in CubeCart 2.0.1 allows remote attackers to gain sensitive information via an HTTP request with an invalid cat_id parameter, which reveals the full path in a PHP error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1579 represents a classic path disclosure issue affecting CubeCart 2.0.1 e-commerce software. This flaw occurs within the index.php script where improper input validation leads to the exposure of sensitive server path information through PHP error messages. The vulnerability manifests when remote attackers submit HTTP requests containing an invalid cat_id parameter, which triggers PHP error handling routines that inadvertently reveal the complete file system path to the vulnerable application. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-209, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through error messages. The flaw demonstrates poor error handling practices where the application fails to sanitize user inputs before processing them, allowing the underlying PHP engine to generate detailed error messages that include absolute paths.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal effort from attackers who can simply craft HTTP requests with malformed cat_id parameters to trigger the error condition. When the application encounters an invalid category identifier, it attempts to process the request but fails to properly validate the input, leading to PHP's default error reporting mechanism being activated. The resulting error message contains the full server path where the CubeCart application is installed, which can include directory structures, file names, and potentially sensitive configuration details. This information disclosure creates a significant security risk as it provides attackers with detailed knowledge of the server environment, including the exact location of the web application and its supporting files. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of system information through path disclosure methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical reconnaissance data that can be used to plan more sophisticated attacks. The exposed paths can reveal the directory structure of the web server, potentially exposing sensitive directories such as configuration files, database connection details, or backup files that might be stored in predictable locations. This information can facilitate directory traversal attacks, file inclusion vulnerabilities, or other exploitation techniques that rely on knowing the exact file system layout. The vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of the system by providing attackers with the information needed to bypass security controls or escalate privileges. Organizations running CubeCart 2.0.1 are particularly at risk since the vulnerability exists in the core application logic and affects the fundamental error handling mechanisms. The impact is compounded by the fact that such path disclosure vulnerabilities are often overlooked during security assessments, making them persistent threats that can be leveraged by attackers with minimal technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1579 should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling practices within the CubeCart application. The primary solution involves modifying the index.php script to properly validate the cat_id parameter before processing, ensuring that invalid inputs are handled gracefully without exposing system information. Organizations should implement custom error handling routines that suppress detailed path information and instead display generic error messages to users. The application should be configured to disable PHP error reporting in production environments and implement proper logging mechanisms that capture errors without exposing sensitive information. Additionally, the software should be upgraded to a newer version of CubeCart that addresses this vulnerability, as version 2.0.1 is an outdated release with known security weaknesses. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can also help by filtering out requests that contain suspicious parameters, though this approach should complement rather than replace proper application-level fixes. The remediation process should also include regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components and ensure that error handling practices follow security best practices established by standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure coding practices.