CVE-2004-1959 in Protector System
Summary
by MITRE
blocker_query.php in Protector System 1.15b1 for PHP-Nuke allows remote attackers to gain sensitive information via a string in the portNum parameter, which reveals the full path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1959 affects the Protector System 1.15b1 component within PHP-Nuke web applications, representing a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes critical system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability specifically resides in the blocker_query.php script which processes incoming requests and fails to properly sanitize user input parameters. The flaw manifests when attackers submit malicious input through the portNum parameter, causing the system to generate error messages that inadvertently reveal the complete server path structure through which the application operates. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper error handling and input validation, commonly categorized as CWE-209 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, which specifically addresses information exposure through error messages. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication or privileged access, making it easily exploitable by any remote attacker who can interact with the vulnerable web application. The exposure of full system paths creates a significant risk for attackers as it provides them with detailed knowledge of the server environment including directory structures, file locations, and potentially sensitive organizational information about the hosting infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks that can leverage the exposed path information for further exploitation. When attackers obtain the complete server path through error messages, they gain valuable reconnaissance data that can be used to craft targeted attacks against the application or underlying system. The revealed paths may contain clues about file permissions, directory structures, and even potential weak points in the application architecture. This vulnerability directly aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the information gathering phase, specifically targeting the reconnaissance activities that precede more damaging attacks. The exposure of system paths can enable attackers to identify potential file inclusion vulnerabilities, directory traversal weaknesses, or other security misconfigurations that exist within the same application environment. Furthermore, the vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles and can be exploited in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to create more severe security incidents.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on comprehensive input validation and proper error handling mechanisms within the affected application. The primary solution involves implementing strict parameter validation for all user-supplied input, particularly in the portNum parameter of blocker_query.php, ensuring that only expected data formats are accepted and that malformed input is rejected gracefully without revealing system information. Organizations should implement custom error handling routines that suppress detailed path information in error messages, instead presenting generic error responses to users while logging detailed technical information internally for administrators. The implementation of proper input sanitization techniques, including the use of allowlists for parameter values and the application of regular expression validation for numeric port numbers, can effectively prevent this type of attack vector. Additionally, the application should be configured to disable detailed error reporting in production environments and implement comprehensive logging mechanisms to monitor for suspicious input patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security hardening practices should also include regular code reviews to identify similar input validation gaps across other application components, as this vulnerability represents a broader class of issues that can affect web applications built on similar frameworks. The remediation approach should align with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten project, specifically addressing the risks associated with improper error handling and information disclosure vulnerabilities that can compromise the overall security posture of web applications.