CVE-2004-2196 in CMS Lite
Summary
by MITRE
Zanfi CMS lite 1.1 allows remote attackers to obtain the full path of the web server via direct requests without required arguments to (1) adm_pages.php, (2) corr_pages.php, (3) del_block.php, (4) del_page.php, (5) footer.php, (6) home.php, and others.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2196 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Zanfi CMS lite 1.1, a content management system that was prevalent in the early 2000s. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the application's core files, specifically targeting administrative and page management scripts. The flaw allows remote attackers to exploit the absence of proper argument validation by directly accessing specific PHP files without required parameters, thereby exposing sensitive server path information to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through direct HTTP requests to specific script endpoints within the CMS framework. When attackers access files such as adm_pages.php, corr_pages.php, del_block.php, del_page.php, footer.php, and home.php without providing expected arguments, the application fails to properly validate input parameters and instead reveals the complete server path through error messages or direct path exposure. This occurs due to inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input and the absence of proper access controls that should validate whether the request originates from legitimate administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed server paths provide attackers with critical reconnaissance information that can be leveraged for further exploitation. The disclosed paths reveal the physical location of the web application on the server filesystem, including directory structures and potentially sensitive file locations. This information can be used to craft more sophisticated attacks, such as directory traversal exploits, or to identify other potential vulnerabilities within the server environment. According to CWE-200, this vulnerability maps directly to improper error handling that exposes sensitive information, while the ATT&CK framework categorizes this under Initial Access techniques where adversaries gather intelligence about target systems through reconnaissance activities.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental security flaw in the application's design philosophy, where security measures are not properly implemented at the input validation and access control levels. The affected files represent core components of the CMS administrative interface, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with the ability to understand the application's architecture and potentially escalate privileges or access restricted areas. This type of vulnerability is classified as a path disclosure issue under industry standards and represents a common weakness in legacy web applications that lack proper security hardening measures. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Zanfi CMS should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, proper error handling, and access controls to prevent unauthorized path disclosure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include implementing comprehensive input validation across all application endpoints, configuring proper error handling to prevent sensitive information exposure, and establishing robust access controls that require proper authentication before allowing access to administrative functions. The application should be updated to versions that address this specific flaw, while server configurations should be adjusted to suppress detailed error messages and implement proper logging mechanisms to detect and respond to such exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to administrative endpoints, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach these critical application components.