CVE-2004-1607 in SalesLogix
Summary
by MITRE
slxweb.dll in SalesLogix 6.1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a (1) Library or (2) Attachment request with an invalid file parameter, which reveals the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1607 affects the slxweb.dll component within SalesLogix 6.1, a customer relationship management platform that was widely deployed in enterprise environments during the early 2000s. This issue represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the application fails to properly validate user input before processing file requests. The flaw manifests specifically when processing Library or Attachment requests through the web interface, where the system does not adequately sanitize the file parameter, leading to the exposure of sensitive system path information in error messages. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper error handling and input validation, which are fundamental security weaknesses that have been consistently documented in various security frameworks including CWE-200 for Information Exposure and CWE-20 for Improper Input Validation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending crafted requests to the SalesLogix web application with invalid file parameters in either Library or Attachment request contexts. When the system processes these malformed requests, it generates error messages that inadvertently reveal the absolute file system paths where the application is installed and how it structures its file hierarchy. This information disclosure occurs because the application's error handling mechanism does not properly filter or sanitize error messages before returning them to the client. The exposed path information can include complete directory structures that may contain sensitive details about the server configuration, application deployment patterns, and potentially even version-specific information that could aid in further exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked path information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can leverage the revealed system paths to understand the application's directory structure and potentially identify other vulnerabilities through path traversal attacks or to craft more targeted exploitation techniques. The exposure of internal file system locations can also provide insights into the server environment, helping attackers determine the operating system type, installed software versions, and overall system architecture. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 for File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries collect information about file systems and directory structures to plan further attacks. The risk is particularly elevated in enterprise environments where SalesLogix applications are deployed, as the exposed paths may reveal internal network structures and application deployment patterns that could be used for lateral movement or privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1607 should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the SalesLogix web application. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly validated before being processed, with invalid inputs resulting in generic error messages that do not disclose system information. The application should be configured to suppress detailed error messages that contain path information, implementing a centralized error handling mechanism that logs detailed errors internally while presenting sanitized messages to end users. Security patches and updates from the vendor should be applied immediately, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent versions of the SalesLogix platform. Additionally, network-level security controls such as web application firewalls can be deployed to monitor and filter requests that attempt to exploit this vulnerability by detecting patterns associated with invalid file parameter requests. The implementation of proper logging and monitoring should also be enhanced to detect unusual request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.