CVE-2005-3255 in cgiwrap
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) cgiwrap and (2) php-cgiwrap packages before 3.9 in Debian GNU/Linux provide access to debugging CGIs under the web document root, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via direct requests to those CGIs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3255 affects the cgiwrap and php-cgiwrap packages in Debian GNU/Linux versions prior to 3.9, presenting a significant security risk through improper access controls. This issue stems from the inclusion of debugging CGIs within the web document root, creating an unintended attack surface that exposes sensitive system information to remote adversaries. The flaw represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference where debugging interfaces are accessible without proper authentication or authorization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper configuration of web server components where debugging utilities are deployed alongside regular web content. These debugging CGIs typically contain information about the server environment, including system paths, configuration details, and potentially sensitive operational data that could aid attackers in subsequent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability manifests when remote attackers directly request these debugging endpoints, bypassing normal access controls that should restrict such information disclosure to authorized personnel only.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for affected systems as it enables information disclosure attacks that can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated exploitation techniques. Attackers can leverage the exposed debugging information to understand the server architecture, identify potential vulnerabilities in other components, and plan targeted attacks against the system. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure since this data can be used to craft more effective attacks against the web server and underlying infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper information exposure, and represents a failure in implementing proper access controls for sensitive system interfaces. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1592 (Threat Actor Cyber Campaigns) as it enables reconnaissance activities that support broader attack objectives. The exposure of debugging interfaces provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be used to identify system weaknesses and plan subsequent compromise attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3255 require immediate patching of affected Debian systems to upgrade to version 3.9 or later of the cgiwrap and php-cgiwrap packages. Organizations should also implement proper web server configuration practices to ensure that debugging interfaces are not deployed in production environments or are properly secured with authentication mechanisms. Network segmentation and access control policies should be enforced to restrict access to sensitive system interfaces, while regular security audits should verify that debugging utilities are not inadvertently exposed to untrusted users. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for unusual requests to web directories can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting these vulnerable debugging interfaces.