CVE-2005-2423 in Beehive Forum
Summary
by MITRE
Beehive Forum allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via (1) an invalid final_uri or sort_by parameter to index.php or a direct request to (2) admin.php, (3) attachments.inc.php, (4) banned.inc.php, (5) beehive.inc.php, (6) constants.inc.php, (7) db.inc.php, (8) dictionary.inc.php or (9) search_index.php, which reveal the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2423 affects Beehive Forum, a web-based discussion platform that was widely used in the early 2000s for community engagement and knowledge sharing. This issue represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the application's core components. The vulnerability exists across multiple PHP include files that form the backbone of the forum's functionality, making it particularly concerning from a security perspective as it impacts fundamental system operations.
The technical flaw manifests when the Beehive Forum application processes invalid or malformed parameters in specific script files. When attackers submit malicious input to parameters such as final_uri or sort_by in index.php, or directly request files like admin.php, attachments.inc.php, banned.inc.php, beehive.inc.php, constants.inc.php, db.inc.php, dictionary.inc.php, or search_index.php, the application fails to properly sanitize these inputs. Instead of gracefully handling the invalid data, the system generates error messages that inadvertently expose the server's file system path structure to remote attackers. This path disclosure occurs because the application's error handling routine includes the absolute path in its error output, providing attackers with detailed information about the server's directory structure.
This vulnerability operates under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 - "Exploitation for Credential Access" as the disclosed paths can facilitate further attacks against the system. The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with critical system information that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks. The exposed paths reveal the physical location of the forum installation on the server, which can aid in crafting more targeted attacks against the specific server configuration. Attackers can use this information to understand the application's file structure, potentially identifying other vulnerable components or discovering how to exploit other weaknesses in the system.
The attack surface extends beyond simple path disclosure to encompass potential privilege escalation and system compromise opportunities. When attackers obtain the absolute path, they can better understand how the application interacts with the file system, potentially enabling them to craft more sophisticated attacks against the web application or underlying operating system. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the forum and can be exploited without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it allows any remote user to gain information that could be used for further exploitation. The impact is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability exists across multiple include files, meaning that attackers can potentially access path information through various attack vectors within the same application.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability involve implementing proper input validation and error handling practices throughout the application. All user-supplied parameters should be validated against expected input formats before processing, with invalid inputs being rejected rather than processed. The application should be configured to suppress detailed error messages from being displayed to end users, instead logging these errors internally for administrators to review. Additionally, the application should be configured to use relative paths or abstracted file references rather than exposing absolute paths in error messages. Security patches should be applied to update the Beehive Forum software to versions that address this vulnerability, and administrators should implement proper web application firewall rules to monitor and block suspicious parameter patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing comprehensive error handling mechanisms that do not inadvertently expose system information to unauthorized users.