CVE-2005-0827 in Ciamos
Summary
by MITRE
Viewcat.php in (1) RUNCMS 1.1A, (2) Ciamos 0.9.2 RC1, e-Xoops 1.05 Rev3, and possibly other products based on e-Xoops (exoops), allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an invalid parameter to the convertorderbytrans function, which reveals the path in a PHP error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2018
This vulnerability exists in multiple content management systems including RUNCMS 1.1A, Ciamos 0.9.2 RC1, and e-Xoops 1.05 Rev3, all of which are based on the e-Xoops framework. The issue is found in the viewcat.php script where the convertorderbytrans function fails to properly validate input parameters. When an attacker supplies an invalid parameter to this function, the system generates a PHP error message that inadvertently exposes the server's file system path structure. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under CWE-200 which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through error messages. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and error handling mechanisms that are fundamental to secure software development practices.
The technical flaw stems from the improper handling of user-supplied data within the convertorderbytrans function. When the function receives an unexpected parameter value, it triggers a PHP runtime error rather than gracefully handling the invalid input. This error message contains the absolute path to the vulnerable script, which can be exploited by remote attackers to gain insights into the server's file structure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to map the server's directory structure, potentially revealing sensitive information about the hosting environment and application architecture. This information can be used to plan more sophisticated attacks or to identify other potential vulnerabilities within the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations running affected CMS platforms. Remote attackers can easily obtain the full server path through simple HTTP requests, which provides them with crucial information for further exploitation attempts. This information disclosure can lead to directory traversal attacks, privilege escalation attempts, or other advanced persistent threats. The vulnerability affects not just the specific versions mentioned but also potentially other products based on the e-Xoops framework, indicating a widespread issue within the ecosystem. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1212 - Exploitation for Credential Access, as the path disclosure can be used to gain intelligence for more targeted attacks. The vulnerability also aligns with T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, as it provides attackers with detailed information about the file system structure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques within the convertorderbytrans function to prevent invalid parameters from triggering PHP errors. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied inputs are properly validated and that error messages do not contain sensitive path information. The recommended approach involves implementing custom error handling that suppresses detailed path information in error messages and instead displays generic error messages to users. Additionally, system administrators should update to patched versions of the affected CMS platforms, as vendors typically address such issues in subsequent releases. Security hardening practices such as disabling PHP error display in production environments and implementing proper logging mechanisms can also help mitigate the impact of similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security audits to identify and remediate similar path disclosure issues in web applications.