CVE-2005-2732 in AWStats
Summary
by MITRE
AWStats 6.4, and possibly earlier versions, allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a file that does not exist in the config parameter, which reveals the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2732 affects AWStats version 6.4 and potentially earlier releases, representing a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes system paths through error handling mechanisms. This issue resides within the web-based log analysis tool commonly used for tracking website statistics and user behavior. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker supplies a non-existent file path to the config parameter, causing the application to generate an error message that inadvertently reveals the server's file system structure. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper error handling and sensitive data exposure, which aligns with CWE-209, "Information Exposure Through an Error Message." The flaw represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with detailed knowledge of the server's directory structure, potentially enabling further exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's inadequate error handling procedures when processing user-supplied input parameters. When AWStats encounters a config parameter pointing to a non-existent file, instead of gracefully handling the error or providing a generic message, it displays the actual file path where the error occurred. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as it inadvertently provides attackers with reconnaissance information that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. The error message typically includes the full server path where the application is installed, potentially exposing sensitive directories such as /var/www/html/awstats or similar system locations. This information disclosure could enable attackers to map the server environment and identify potential targets for file inclusion attacks or directory traversal exploits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly weakens the overall security posture of systems running affected AWStats versions. Attackers can use the revealed paths to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting specific directories or files within the application's installation structure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication or special privileges to exploit, making it a low-effort, high-impact security issue. Organizations may experience cascading security consequences as attackers use the disclosed information to plan more targeted attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data breaches, or system compromise. This vulnerability also violates several security frameworks and best practices, including those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing information leakage and improper error handling.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2732 should focus on implementing proper error handling mechanisms that prevent sensitive information disclosure while maintaining application functionality. System administrators should immediately upgrade to patched versions of AWStats, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases through improved error handling procedures. The recommended approach involves configuring the application to display generic error messages to users while logging detailed error information internally for administrative purposes. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization can help prevent malicious input from triggering the vulnerability. Security configurations should also include disabling detailed error messages in production environments and ensuring that file system permissions are properly configured to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive directories. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and implement comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation and T1083 for file and directory discovery.