CVE-2004-2575 in phpGroupWare
Summary
by MITRE
phpGroupWare 0.9.14.005 and earlier allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to (1) hook_admin.inc.php, (2) hook_home.inc.php, (3) class.holidaycalc.inc.php, and (4) setup.inc.php.sample, which reveals the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2575 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within phpGroupWare versions 0.9.14.005 and earlier. This vulnerability manifests through direct access to specific PHP include files that contain sensitive system path information in error messages. The affected files include hook_admin.inc.php, hook_home.inc.php, class.holidaycalc.inc.php, and setup.inc.php.sample, all of which are core components of the phpGroupWare application framework. When attackers make direct requests to these files without proper authentication or access controls, the application generates error messages that inadvertently expose the absolute file paths on the server where phpGroupWare is installed.
This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and error handling within the application's file access mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it provides attackers with precise knowledge of the server's file system structure, which can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. The disclosed paths can reveal the complete installation directory structure, potentially exposing sensitive information about the server environment, file locations, and application architecture that would otherwise remain hidden from unauthorized users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly weakens the security posture of affected systems. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can use the disclosed paths to craft more targeted attacks, potentially leading to directory traversal exploits, local file inclusion vulnerabilities, or other advanced attack vectors that rely on knowledge of the application's file structure. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as it provides unauthorized access to system information that should remain protected within the application's secure boundaries. From an attacker's perspective, this information can be leveraged to bypass other security controls and escalate their attack.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and error handling mechanisms within the phpGroupWare application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to phpGroupWare version 0.9.14.006 or later, which contains patches addressing this information disclosure issue. Additionally, administrators should ensure that all sensitive include files are protected through proper authentication mechanisms and that error messages do not reveal system path information to unauthorized users. The implementation of web application firewalls and proper logging of access attempts to sensitive files can also help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure error handling practices and the need for comprehensive security testing of web applications to prevent unintended information disclosure that could compromise system security.