CVE-2005-0722 in eXPerience2
Summary
by MITRE
eXPerience2 allows remote attackers to obtain the full path for the web root via a direct request to modules.php without any parameters, which leaks the path in a PHP error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0722 affects the eXPerience2 content management system and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system paths to remote attackers. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes requests to the modules.php script without any parameters, creating an opportunity for attackers to harvest the complete web root path through PHP error messages. The flaw demonstrates poor error handling practices within the application's code structure, where insufficient input validation and error message sanitization allow the system to reveal internal directory structures that should remain confidential. Such information disclosure vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they provide attackers with critical reconnaissance data that can be used for subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters before processing requests. When modules.php is accessed without parameters, the system generates a PHP error message that inadvertently includes the full file path to the web root directory. This occurs due to improper exception handling and error reporting mechanisms within the application's codebase, where developers failed to implement proper error suppression or custom error handling routines. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses the issue of error messages containing sensitive information, and represents a classic example of how insecure error handling can lead to information disclosure attacks. The flaw operates at the application level and requires no special privileges or authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked path information provides attackers with precise knowledge of the server's directory structure and file locations. This information can be leveraged to craft more sophisticated attacks including directory traversal exploits, file inclusion vulnerabilities, and targeted attacks against specific application components. Attackers can use the disclosed path information to map the application's file system structure, identify potential weak points in the application architecture, and plan more effective exploitation strategies. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as it compromises the system's ability to maintain sensitive operational information. Additionally, this flaw may facilitate privilege escalation attempts and can serve as a stepping stone for more advanced persistent threats, as demonstrated by the ATT&CK framework's enumeration and credential access techniques that rely on initial reconnaissance data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper error handling mechanisms and input validation procedures within the application code. System administrators should ensure that PHP error messages are properly suppressed in production environments and that custom error handlers are implemented to prevent sensitive path information from being exposed. The application should be configured to log errors internally while displaying generic error messages to end users, thereby eliminating the risk of path disclosure through error outputs. Security patches should be applied to update the eXPerience2 application to versions that address this specific vulnerability, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar error handling flaws throughout the application. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for and block exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, while maintaining proper logging and monitoring capabilities to detect unauthorized access attempts.