CVE-2005-0724 in paFileDB
Summary
by MITRE
paFileDB 3.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via (1) an invalid str parameter to pafiledb.php, or a direct request to (2) viewall.php, (3) stats.php, (4) search.php, (5) rate.php, (6) main.php, (7) license.php, (8) category.php, (9) download.php, (10) file.php, (11) email.php, or (12) admin.php, which reveals the path in a PHP error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0724 affects paFileDB version 3.1 and earlier, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes system paths through improper error handling mechanisms. This vulnerability resides within a file management database application that suffers from inadequate input validation and error message sanitization, creating a pathway for remote attackers to gain unauthorized knowledge about the underlying system architecture. The flaw manifests when specific PHP parameters are manipulated or when direct requests are made to various script endpoints, including viewall.php, stats.php, search.php, and numerous other core application files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate user input parameters, particularly the str parameter in pafiledb.php and direct access attempts to multiple PHP scripts. When attackers submit malformed requests or exploit the application's lack of proper parameter checking, the system generates PHP error messages that inadvertently reveal the absolute file system paths where the application is installed. This type of information disclosure vulnerability maps directly to CWE-209, which specifically addresses the improper handling of error messages that may expose sensitive information about the system configuration. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic weakness in the application's security posture where error handling mechanisms fail to sanitize output properly, creating a disclosure of system internals that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed system paths provide attackers with crucial reconnaissance data for planning more sophisticated attacks. The exposed paths can reveal directory structures, file locations, and potentially sensitive configuration details that could be leveraged in combination with other vulnerabilities. Attackers can use this information to craft more targeted attacks against the application or the underlying server infrastructure, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects multiple endpoints within the application, making it particularly dangerous as it provides multiple attack vectors for information gathering, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovering system information and T1592 for reconnaissance through information gathering. The widespread nature of the affected files indicates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture rather than an isolated incident.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and error handling practices throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user inputs to prevent the generation of error messages that contain system paths, while implementing comprehensive error handling that does not expose internal system information. Organizations should also consider implementing custom error pages that provide generic error messages to users while logging detailed errors internally for administrators. Additionally, the application should be updated to a version that addresses this vulnerability, as the original paFileDB 3.1 and earlier versions contain fundamental security flaws that have been corrected in subsequent releases. The remediation process should include thorough code review to ensure no other similar error handling issues exist within the application, with particular attention to the CWE-209 classification and its implications for secure error management practices. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can also provide additional defense in depth, though the primary fix must address the root cause within the application's codebase.