CVE-2005-1570 in bttlxeForum
Summary
by MITRE
forum.asp in bttlxeForum 2.0 allows remote attackers to obtain full path information via a certain hex-encoded argument to the page parameter, possibly due to a SQL injection vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1570 affects bttlxeForum 2.0 through its forum.asp component which processes user input through the page parameter. This flaw represents a classic path disclosure vulnerability that occurs when an application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing it within the application context. The vulnerability specifically manifests when a hex-encoded argument is submitted to the page parameter, allowing remote attackers to extract complete server path information from the application's response.
This issue falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper input validation and sanitization within the forum application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables attackers to obtain sensitive system path information that could be used in subsequent attacks. When the hex-encoded argument is processed, the application inadvertently reveals directory structures and file paths that should remain hidden from external parties. The underlying technical flaw stems from improper handling of user input without adequate encoding or decoding validation, allowing the application to pass through raw hex values that trigger path disclosure mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with crucial system architecture details that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The path information obtained could reveal the application's installation directory structure, which might include sensitive file locations, database connection paths, or other system-specific details that could aid in exploitation of other vulnerabilities. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) as it provides the reconnaissance data necessary for attackers to plan more targeted attacks against the system. The vulnerability also relates to T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) as it enables unauthorized access to system information that should be protected.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application. All user-supplied input should be thoroughly validated and sanitized before processing, with special attention given to hex-encoded values that may bypass normal validation checks. The application should implement proper error handling that does not reveal system path information in error responses, and input should be normalized and validated against expected formats before being processed. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and input encoding techniques can prevent the exploitation of such vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious hex-encoded input patterns. The fix should ensure that all parameters, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, are properly validated and that error messages do not contain sensitive path information. This vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and input validation as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for preventing information disclosure vulnerabilities in web applications.