CVE-2005-0294 in Minis
Summary
by MITRE
minis.php in Minis 0.2.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via an HTTP request for a file that the web server does not have permission to read, as demonstrated using the month parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0294 affects Minis 0.2.1, a web-based content management system that suffers from a denial of service condition triggered by malformed HTTP requests. This flaw specifically manifests when the application processes requests containing the month parameter, which is used to display calendar-related content. The vulnerability represents a classic example of improper input validation and error handling within web applications, where the system fails to properly manage file access exceptions and instead enters an infinite loop state.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how Minis handles file access permissions and error conditions within its minis.php script. When an attacker submits an HTTP request with a month parameter referencing a file that the web server lacks read permissions for, the application's error handling mechanism becomes trapped in an infinite loop. This occurs because the system attempts to repeatedly check file permissions or access the requested resource without proper loop termination conditions or exception handling. The flaw aligns with CWE-835, which specifically addresses infinite loops in software implementations, and demonstrates poor resource management practices that can be exploited to consume system resources indefinitely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be exploited to exhaust server resources and potentially cause broader system instability. Attackers can repeatedly send malformed requests to trigger the infinite loop, leading to continuous CPU utilization and memory consumption. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where server resources are limited or where the application is subjected to high traffic loads. The DoS condition affects the availability aspect of the CIA triad, rendering the web application inaccessible to legitimate users and potentially impacting other services running on the same server infrastructure.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper error handling and resource management in web applications. The flaw can be mitigated through several approaches including input validation to ensure that file parameters are properly sanitized before processing, implementing timeout mechanisms to prevent infinite loops, and adding proper exception handling for file access operations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious request patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices and adherence to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, particularly focusing on input validation and error handling controls. Additionally, this issue can be addressed through proper system hardening measures including restrictive file permissions and limiting web server access to only necessary directories. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code review processes to identify similar vulnerabilities in web applications.