CVE-2004-2588 in XMB
Summary
by MITRE
Intentional information leak in phpinfo.php in XMB (aka extreme message board) 1.9 beta (aka Nexus beta) allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information such as the configuration of the web server and the PHP application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2588 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the XMB (Extreme Message Board) 1.9 beta version, commonly referred to as Nexus beta. This vulnerability stems from the improper handling of the phpinfo.php file, which is typically used for debugging and configuration verification purposes within PHP environments. The flaw allows remote attackers to access detailed system information that should remain confidential, creating significant security implications for affected web applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure," and falls within the broader category of information leakage vulnerabilities. The flaw occurs because the phpinfo.php file, which normally contains sensitive configuration data about the web server environment, PHP settings, and potentially database connection details, is accessible without proper authentication mechanisms. This file typically exposes information including but not limited to PHP version, loaded extensions, server configuration parameters, environment variables, and potentially database connection strings that are critical for attackers to understand the target system's architecture.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations running affected versions of XMB. Attackers who exploit this flaw gain access to comprehensive information about the web server's configuration, PHP environment settings, and potentially sensitive system details that could be used for subsequent attacks. The information leak could enable attackers to identify specific PHP versions, installed modules, server configurations, and other system characteristics that may be exploited in combination with other vulnerabilities. This exposure essentially provides attackers with a detailed reconnaissance map of the target environment, significantly reducing the effort required for more sophisticated attacks.
The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the Information Gathering phase, specifically within the T1082 technique of "System Information Discovery." This classification reflects how attackers can leverage such information disclosure vulnerabilities to gather intelligence about the target system, which then enables more targeted and effective attack strategies. The vulnerability essentially provides attackers with the foundational information needed to conduct further reconnaissance and exploit other potential weaknesses in the system architecture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms for the phpinfo.php file. Organizations should ensure that such diagnostic files are either removed from production environments or restricted to authorized personnel only. The recommended approach includes configuring web server permissions to prevent unauthorized access to these files, implementing proper firewall rules, and ensuring that diagnostic files are not accessible from external networks. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that no sensitive diagnostic files remain accessible to unauthenticated users, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper file access controls in preventing information disclosure attacks.