CVE-2005-1235 in phpbb-Auction
Summary
by MITRE
auction_my_auctions.php in phpbb-Auction 1.2m and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an invalid mode parameter, which leaks the full path in a PHP error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1235 resides within the phpbb-Auction 1.2m software package and represents a classic information disclosure flaw that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized knowledge of system paths. This issue specifically affects the auction_my_auctions.php script where improper input validation leads to the exposure of critical system information through error messages generated by the php interpreter.
The technical flaw manifests when the application receives an invalid mode parameter through user input, which triggers a PHP error condition that inadvertently reveals the full server path where the vulnerable script resides. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper error handling and sensitive data exposure, with direct implications for the principle of least privilege and system security posture. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure through error messages, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 for exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple path disclosure, as it provides attackers with crucial information that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks. The leaked path information can be used to map the application's directory structure, identify potential file locations, and potentially facilitate further exploitation attempts such as local file inclusion attacks or directory traversal exploits. Attackers can use this information to craft more targeted attacks against the system infrastructure, making the initial information disclosure a critical stepping stone for advanced persistent threats.
Organizations utilizing phpbb-Auction 1.2m or earlier versions face significant security risks from this vulnerability, as it requires minimal effort to exploit and provides substantial intelligence to threat actors. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate error handling mechanisms within the application code. Security professionals should consider implementing proper error handling that does not expose system paths or sensitive information to end users, while also ensuring that all input parameters are properly validated before processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1235 involve immediate upgrading to phpbb-Auction versions that address this vulnerability, as well as implementing comprehensive error handling that sanitizes all user inputs and prevents error messages from revealing system information. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious parameter manipulation attempts, and establish regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities within their application portfolios. The remediation process should include thorough code reviews focusing on input validation and error handling practices, with specific attention to ensuring that error messages do not expose system paths or internal application structures to unauthorized users.