CVE-2005-1144 in EasyPHPCalendar
Summary
by MITRE
popup.php in EasyPHPCalendar before 6.2.8 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an invalid ev parameter, which reveals the full pathname of the web server in a PHP error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1144 affects EasyPHPCalendar versions prior to 6.2.8 and represents a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This issue occurs within the popup.php script where improper input validation leads to the revelation of critical server path information through PHP error messages. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate the ev parameter, which is processed without adequate security controls. When an attacker submits an invalid ev parameter value, the script generates a PHP error that inadvertently includes the complete server pathname in the error output, providing attackers with detailed information about the web server's file structure and deployment environment.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which describes information exposure through error messages, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which covers exploitation for credential access through information disclosure. The flaw demonstrates poor error handling practices where the application does not implement proper exception management or input validation mechanisms. The exposed pathname information can include directory structures, file locations, and potentially sensitive deployment details that could aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs during normal application operation when processing user input, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate error conditions and malicious input attempts. The error message exposure creates a pathway for attackers to gather intelligence about the server environment, potentially enabling them to identify other vulnerabilities or target specific components within the system architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with foundational knowledge that can facilitate subsequent exploitation attempts. The revealed server path information can help attackers understand the application's directory structure, potentially exposing sensitive files or directories that should remain hidden from external access. This information disclosure can be particularly damaging in environments where the web server's directory structure contains sensitive components or where the exposed paths reveal the presence of other applications or services running on the same server. The vulnerability affects the principle of least privilege by inadvertently providing unauthorized access to system information that should remain confidential. Organizations may experience cascading security implications where this initial information disclosure serves as a foundation for more advanced attacks, including directory traversal attempts or exploitation of other vulnerabilities discovered through the exposed path information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1144 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and proper error handling mechanisms. The primary fix involves updating EasyPHPCalendar to version 6.2.8 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the information disclosure vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement proper error handling that prevents sensitive system information from being exposed in error messages to end users. This includes configuring PHP to suppress detailed error messages in production environments and implementing custom error handling routines that log errors internally while displaying generic messages to users. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure that all input parameters are properly validated before processing. The remediation process should include reviewing server configurations to prevent error message exposure and implementing proper logging mechanisms to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in error message generation that might indicate attempted exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.