CVE-2005-2474 in ChurchInfo
Summary
by MITRE
ChurchInfo allows remote attackers to execute obtain sensitive information via the PersonID parameter to (1) PersonView.php, (2) MemberRoleChange.php, (3) PropertyAssign.php, (4) WhyCameEditor.php, (5) GroupPropsEditor.php, (6) Reports/PDFLabel.php, or (7) UserDelete.php, an invalid Number parameter to (8) SelectList.php or (9) SelectDelete.php, GroupID parameter to (10) GroupView.php, (11) GroupMemberList.php, (12) MemberRoleChange.php, (13) GroupDelete.php, (14) /Reports/ClassAttendance.php, or (15) /Reports/GroupReport.php, (16) PropertyID parameter to PropertyEditor.php, FamilyID parameter to (17) Canvas05Editor.php, (18) CanvasEditor.php, or (19) FamilyView.php, or (20) PledgeID parameter to PledgeDetails.php, which reveal the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2018
This vulnerability in ChurchInfo represents a critical information disclosure flaw that allows remote attackers to extract sensitive system information through improper input validation across multiple application endpoints. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize and validate user-supplied parameters before processing them, specifically targeting parameters such as PersonID, GroupID, PropertyID, FamilyID, and PledgeID across various php scripts. The flaw manifests when these parameters contain invalid values, causing the application to generate error messages that inadvertently reveal the server's file system path structure. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper output sanitization that exposes sensitive information, and represents a classic example of insecure error handling practices. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests to the affected endpoints.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's error handling mechanisms by submitting malformed or invalid parameters to the targeted scripts. When the application processes these invalid inputs, it fails to properly validate the data types and ranges, leading to unhandled exceptions that result in detailed error messages being displayed to the attacker. These error messages contain the full server path where the application is installed, potentially exposing directory structures, file locations, and system configuration details that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects multiple endpoints including PersonView.php, MemberRoleChange.php, PropertyAssign.php, and various reporting scripts, indicating a systemic issue in how the application handles parameter validation across its codebase. This pattern of vulnerability suggests poor input sanitization practices and inadequate exception handling throughout the application architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed server paths provide attackers with critical reconnaissance data that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks. An attacker could use the revealed path information to craft targeted attacks against specific file locations, potentially leading to privilege escalation, remote code execution, or data theft. The vulnerability affects the entire ChurchInfo application ecosystem and could compromise sensitive user data, including personal information, family records, and financial details stored within the system. Organizations using this software face significant risk of data breaches and compliance violations, particularly in environments where privacy regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA apply. The vulnerability also enables attackers to map the application's internal structure, potentially identifying other weaknesses in the system architecture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and robust error handling mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly validated against expected data types and ranges before processing, with invalid inputs being rejected rather than processed. The application should implement generic error handling that prevents sensitive information from being exposed in error messages, logging detailed errors internally while displaying generic messages to users. Additionally, parameter validation should be implemented at multiple levels including input sanitization, data type checking, and range validation. Security measures should include disabling detailed error messages in production environments, implementing proper logging of invalid requests, and conducting regular security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers could potentially leverage the exposed paths to execute further malicious activities. The remediation efforts should also include implementing proper access controls and input filtering mechanisms that align with industry standards for secure web application development.