CVE-2005-1028 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
PHP-Nuke 6.x through 7.6 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to (1) index.php with the forum_admin parameter set, (2) the Surveys module, or (3) the Your_Account module, which reveals the path in a PHP error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1028 affects PHP-Nuke versions 6.x through 7.6 and represents a sensitive data exposure issue that occurs when specific modules are accessed directly through the index.php script. This flaw allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive system information by manipulating URL parameters, specifically targeting the forum_admin parameter, Surveys module, and Your_Account module. The vulnerability stems from improper error handling within the application's code structure, where PHP error messages are displayed to users without adequate sanitization or access control measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to validate user input and restrict access to administrative functions through direct URL manipulation. When attackers send crafted requests to index.php with the forum_admin parameter or access the Surveys and Your_Account modules directly, the system generates PHP error messages that contain directory paths and potentially other sensitive information. This behavior aligns with CWE-209, which addresses the exposure of error information that can reveal system details to unauthorized users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic case of information disclosure through improper error handling mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security risks to PHP-Nuke installations as it enables attackers to gather information about the server's file system structure, which can be used for further exploitation. The disclosed paths can reveal the absolute directory structure of the web server, potentially exposing sensitive locations such as configuration files, database connection details, or other system resources. This information disclosure can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including directory traversal, privilege escalation, or targeted exploitation of other vulnerabilities present in the system. The impact is particularly severe given that PHP-Nuke was widely deployed in web applications during this period, making this vulnerability a significant threat vector for attackers targeting web applications.
The vulnerability can be exploited through standard web-based attack vectors and requires no special privileges or tools beyond basic web browsing capabilities. Attackers can construct malicious URLs with the specific parameters mentioned in the vulnerability description and observe the error messages returned by the server. This exposure creates opportunities for attackers to map the server environment and potentially identify additional weaknesses in the application's security posture. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader attack patterns such as those described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the information gathering phase, where adversaries collect system information to plan more sophisticated attacks. The recommended mitigation involves implementing proper input validation, access control mechanisms, and error handling procedures that prevent the disclosure of sensitive system information through error messages.