CVE-2005-1024 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
modules.php in PHP-Nuke 6.x to 7.6 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to (1) my_headlines, (2) userinfo, or (3) search, which reveals the path in a PHP error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1024 affects PHP-Nuke versions 6.x through 7.6 and represents a sensitive information disclosure flaw that occurs when specific modules are accessed directly through the modules.php script. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities, which are classified as CWE-200 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. The issue manifests when attackers make direct requests to three specific endpoints: my_headlines, userinfo, and search modules within the PHP-Nuke framework. These direct access attempts trigger PHP error messages that inadvertently reveal the server's file system path structure to remote attackers. The exposure of system paths creates a significant security risk as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance information that can be used to craft more sophisticated attacks against the target system. This vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and error handling within the application's module routing mechanism.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the absence of proper access controls and authentication checks within the modules.php script. When users attempt to access the vulnerable modules directly without proper authorization or through the intended application workflow, the system fails to sanitize the request properly and instead displays verbose PHP error messages containing the absolute file path. This behavior violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the issue of information leakage through error messages. The vulnerability exists because the application does not properly validate whether the requested module should be accessible directly or requires authentication and authorization checks before execution. Attackers can leverage this information to understand the server's directory structure, potentially identifying other vulnerable components or applications running on the same system. The path disclosure occurs due to inadequate error handling practices that fail to suppress or properly log error information in production environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure and creates multiple attack vectors for threat actors. The leaked file paths can be used to construct path traversal attacks, identify the exact version of PHP-Nuke installed, and potentially discover other applications or files that might be vulnerable to similar issues. This information disclosure creates a foundation for more advanced attacks including directory traversal, local file inclusion, or remote code execution vulnerabilities that may exist elsewhere in the system. The vulnerability also impacts the principle of least privilege as it allows unauthorized access to modules that should typically require user authentication or administrative privileges. From an attacker's perspective, the disclosed paths provide crucial reconnaissance data that can be used to map the server environment and identify potential attack surfaces. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security posture of the entire PHP-Nuke installation by exposing internal system details that should remain hidden from external parties. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by automated scanning tools that systematically probe for such information disclosure patterns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1024 should focus on implementing proper access controls and error handling within the PHP-Nuke application. The primary solution involves modifying the modules.php script to validate access permissions before executing any module functionality, ensuring that unauthorized direct access attempts are properly rejected. Organizations should implement input validation that checks the requested module against a whitelist of allowed modules and requires proper authentication before execution. The error handling mechanisms must be enhanced to suppress or log error messages without exposing sensitive system information to end users. This approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for information disclosure techniques, specifically addressing the need to limit information exposure through proper error handling. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that PHP error reporting is disabled or appropriately configured in production environments to prevent verbose error messages from being displayed. The recommended approach includes implementing proper access control lists, enforcing authentication checks for all modules, and configuring the web server to prevent direct access to sensitive application components. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application and ensure that proper security controls are maintained throughout the system lifecycle.