CVE-2005-3513 in VUBB
Summary
by MITRE
index.php in VUBB alpha rc1 allows remote attackers to obtain the installation path of the application via a viewforum action with the f parameter set to a single quote ( ).
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3513 affects the VUBB alpha rc1 bulletin board software where a flaw exists in the index.php file that can be exploited by remote attackers to discover the application's installation path. This represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input before processing it within the system. The specific trigger involves the viewforum action where the f parameter is manipulated with a single quote character, which causes the application to reveal sensitive path information in its error output or response.
This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure as defined by CWE-200, which occurs when a system exposes sensitive information to unauthorized parties. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and error handling practices where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into system operations without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. When the single quote character is passed to the f parameter, it likely causes a database query to fail or produces an error message that inadvertently exposes the file system path where the application is installed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with critical system information that can be used for further exploitation attempts. Once an attacker obtains the installation path, they can potentially map the application's directory structure, identify other vulnerable components, and craft more sophisticated attacks against the system. This information disclosure can serve as a foundation for privilege escalation, directory traversal attacks, or other exploitation techniques that rely on knowledge of the target system's file structure. The vulnerability specifically impacts the security posture of the bulletin board system by reducing the attacker's ability to remain anonymous during reconnaissance phases.
The attack vector is straightforward and requires no special privileges or complex conditions to exploit. Remote attackers can simply construct a malicious URL with the viewforum action and the f parameter set to a single quote, then observe the response to extract the installation path. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the application's web interface without requiring authentication or advanced technical knowledge. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) by providing attackers with information needed to escalate their access and explore system resources more effectively.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the application. The system should sanitize all user inputs, particularly those used in database queries or file operations, by escaping special characters and implementing proper parameterized queries. Additionally, error messages should be generalized to prevent information disclosure, and the application should not reveal installation paths or system details in its responses. The fix should involve modifying the index.php file to properly handle the f parameter and ensure that any error conditions do not expose sensitive path information. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms to prevent such attacks at the network level. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application or related systems that might exhibit the same pattern of insufficient input validation.