CVE-2004-2268 in Pimengest2
Summary
by MITRE
PimenGest2 before 1.1.1 allows remote attackers to obtain the database password via debug information in rowLatex.inc.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2268 affects PimenGest2 versions prior to 1.1.1 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes database credentials to remote attackers. This vulnerability resides within the rowLatex.inc.php file where debug information is inadvertently included in the application's response, creating an avenue for unauthorized access to sensitive database authentication details. The flaw demonstrates a classic security misconfiguration where development artifacts intended for debugging purposes are not properly removed or secured in production environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper error handling and debug output management within the application's PHP components. When the rowLatex.inc.php script processes requests, it incorporates debug information that contains database password details into the HTTP response sent to clients. This occurs because the application fails to properly sanitize or filter debug output before rendering it to end users, creating a direct information disclosure channel. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it does not require authentication or specialized attack vectors to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can interact with the affected application.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations using PimenGest2 systems, as database passwords exposed through debug information provide attackers with immediate access to backend databases. The exposure of database credentials enables attackers to perform unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which addresses the improper handling of exceptions and error messages that reveal sensitive information, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in information security. The attack vector is classified as remote and requires no special privileges, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve multiple layers of defense including immediate patching of the affected application to version 1.1.1 or later, where the debug information disclosure has been addressed. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output sanitization measures to prevent debug information from being included in production responses. Security configurations should disable debug modes in production environments and establish proper access controls for sensitive files. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar information disclosure vulnerabilities, following the ATT&CK framework's guidance on defense against credential access and information gathering techniques. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the proper handling of sensitive information in web applications, particularly regarding debug output and error message management.