CVE-2005-1783 in BookReview
Summary
by MITRE
BookReview beta 1.0 allows remote attackers to obtain the path of the web server via certain parameters to search.htm, possibly due to a search[string] parameter with a missing value or an incorrect submit[type] value, which reveals the path in the resulting error message. NOTE: it is not clear whether BookReview is available to the public. If not, then it should not be included in CVE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1783 affects BookReview beta 1.0, a web application that appears to be a book review system. This issue represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability where remote attackers can extract sensitive server path information through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability manifests specifically when certain parameters are passed to the search.htm page, indicating a lack of proper input validation and error handling within the application's search functionality. The flaw occurs when a search[string] parameter is submitted with a missing value or when an incorrect submit[type] value is provided, causing the application to generate error messages that inadvertently reveal the underlying server path structure.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which defines information exposure through error messages, and represents a fundamental weakness in the application's security design. The error handling mechanism fails to sanitize or properly manage error conditions that occur during parameter processing, allowing attackers to infer the physical path structure of the web server. The issue demonstrates poor input validation practices where the application does not adequately check for malformed or missing parameters before attempting to process them, resulting in the exposure of potentially sensitive path information that could aid in subsequent attack vectors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it provides attackers with knowledge about the server's file system structure, which could be used to plan more sophisticated attacks against the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical reconnaissance data that can be leveraged in further exploitation attempts. The revealed server paths could enable attackers to identify potential file inclusion vulnerabilities, understand the application's directory structure, or locate sensitive files that might be accessible through the web server. This information disclosure could facilitate attacks such as local file inclusion or directory traversal exploits, where knowledge of the server's actual path structure is essential for successful exploitation. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights a broader security issue in the application's architecture where error messages are not properly sanitized before being returned to users, violating security best practices established by frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the BookReview application. All user-supplied parameters must be validated against expected formats and ranges before processing, with malformed inputs being rejected rather than processed. Error messages should be generic and not contain any information about the underlying system structure, following the principle of least privilege in error reporting. The application should implement proper exception handling that logs detailed errors internally while presenting users with generic error messages. Additionally, the web server configuration should be reviewed to ensure that directory listings are disabled and that sensitive information is not exposed through error pages. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls or security headers that can help prevent or detect such information disclosure attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and proper error handling, particularly in legacy applications that may not have been designed with modern security considerations in mind.