CVE-2005-1001 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
PHP-Nuke 7.6 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via direct requests to (1) the Surveys module with the file parameter set to comments or (2) 3D-Fantasy/theme.php, which leaks the full pathname of the web server in a PHP error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1001 affects PHP-Nuke version 7.6 and represents a significant information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability exists within the Surveys module and the 3D-Fantasy theme component, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited to gather critical system information. The flaw stems from improper error handling mechanisms that inadvertently reveal the complete server path structure through PHP error messages, providing attackers with valuable reconnaissance data for subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through direct HTTP requests that manipulate specific parameters within the application's codebase. When attackers make requests to the Surveys module with the file parameter set to comments, or when they access the 3D-Fantasy/theme.php file, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate these inputs. This results in PHP error messages being generated that contain the full pathname of the web server installation directory. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which describes improper error handling that leads to information disclosure, and specifically aligns with CWE-425, which addresses direct request manipulation leading to unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical path information that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The leaked server path can reveal directory structures, file locations, and potentially expose sensitive configuration details that aid in privilege escalation or further exploitation attempts. Attackers can use this information to craft more targeted attacks against specific files or directories, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects the principle of least privilege by exposing system internals that should remain hidden from external entities, violating the security principle of defense in depth.
The attack surface for this vulnerability includes any system running PHP-Nuke 7.6 with the affected modules enabled, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to the web application. The ease of exploitation, requiring only basic HTTP requests, means that even less sophisticated attackers can leverage this flaw to gain valuable reconnaissance information. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), as it provides the initial reconnaissance data needed for more advanced attack phases. The vulnerability also relates to T1566 (Phishing with Social Engineering) as attackers can use the disclosed information to craft more convincing social engineering campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the PHP-Nuke application. System administrators should immediately upgrade to patched versions of PHP-Nuke that address these information disclosure flaws, as no reliable workarounds exist for this specific vulnerability. The implementation of custom error pages that do not reveal server path information is crucial, along with proper parameter validation to prevent direct file access attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests targeting these specific modules. Regular security audits should verify that error messages do not contain system path information, and access controls should be implemented to restrict direct access to sensitive files. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing proper security configurations that prevent information leakage through error messages.