CVE-2005-2537 in FlatNuke
Summary
by MITRE
FlatNuke 2.5.5 and possibly earlier versions allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to structure.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2537 affects FlatNuke content management system versions 2.5.5 and potentially earlier releases, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive system data through direct manipulation of web requests. This vulnerability resides within the structure.php script which serves as a core component of the FlatNuke framework, making it a significant target for exploitation within the web application attack surface.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation and access control mechanisms within the structure.php file, which fails to adequately verify user permissions or sanitize incoming requests before processing them. When attackers submit direct requests to this specific script, they can bypass normal application logic and retrieve configuration files, database connection details, user credentials, or other sensitive information that should remain protected within the application's internal structure. This represents a classic path traversal or information disclosure vulnerability where the application fails to properly enforce authorization controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as the sensitive information obtained through this attack vector can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain insights into the application's architecture, database schema, and potentially extract administrative credentials or encryption keys. This information disclosure creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, database compromise, or lateral movement within the affected network infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where FlatNuke is deployed without proper network segmentation or additional security controls.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting direct access to structure.php and other sensitive scripts through web server configuration, implementing proper input validation mechanisms, and ensuring that all FlatNuke installations are updated to the latest available versions. Network-based controls such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability. Additionally, the implementation of proper access control lists and authentication checks within the application code can prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and represents a common pattern in legacy web applications where proper security controls were not adequately implemented during development phases.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it attractive to both automated attack tools and less sophisticated threat actors. The lack of proper access controls in the structure.php script demonstrates a failure to follow secure coding practices and highlights the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their FlatNuke installations to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. This vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) and emphasizes the need for proper information classification and access control policies within web applications.