CVE-2005-3261 in versatileBulletinBoard
Summary
by MITRE
getversions.php in versatileBulletinBoard (vBB) 1.0.0 RC2 lists the versions of all installed scripts, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3261 affects versatileBulletinBoard version 1.0.0 RC2 and specifically targets the getversions.php script which is part of the application's core functionality. This flaw represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive system information to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability exists within the application's version checking mechanism that was designed to provide version information for installed scripts but inadvertently exposes this data to any remote attacker who can make direct requests to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and input validation within the getversions.php script. When a remote attacker sends a direct HTTP request to this script, the application fails to properly authenticate or authorize the request, allowing the attacker to retrieve detailed version information for all installed scripts within the vBB installation. This type of flaw typically falls under CWE-200 which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" and more broadly relates to CWE-352 which covers Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities. The vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where sensitive metadata is exposed without proper access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with comprehensive information about the target system's software stack and versions. This information can be leveraged to identify potential exploits for known vulnerabilities in specific software versions, enabling more targeted attacks. Attackers can use the disclosed version information to construct exploit payloads for other vulnerabilities within the same software ecosystem, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The exposure of version information also enables attackers to map the attack surface more effectively, as they can determine what security patches may be missing and what attack vectors are available based on the specific software versions identified.
This vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and reconnaissance phases where attackers gather information about target systems. The ability to directly request version information without proper authentication represents a primitive form of reconnaissance that can be automated and used as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Organizations using vulnerable versions of vBB should implement immediate mitigations including disabling or removing the getversions.php script, implementing proper authentication mechanisms for version checking functionality, and ensuring that version information is not exposed through web-accessible interfaces. Additionally, network-level controls such as firewalls and web application firewalls should be configured to restrict access to administrative scripts and version information endpoints. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, where sensitive system information should never be exposed without proper authorization mechanisms in place.