CVE-2005-3997 in Zen Cart
Summary
by MITRE
Zen Cart 1.2.6d and earlier, under certain PHP configurations, allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via direct requests to files in the admin/includes directory, including (1) graphs/banner_daily.php, (2) graphs/banner_infobox.php, (3) graphs/banner_yearly.php, (4) graphs/banner_monthly.php, (5) application_bottom.php, (6) attributes_preview.php, (7) modules/category_product_listing.php, (8) modules/copy_to_confirm.php, (9) modules/delete_product_confirm.php, and (10) modules/move_product_confirm.php, which leaks the web server path in the resulting error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2017
This vulnerability affects Zen Cart versions 1.2.6d and earlier, exposing sensitive system information through improper access controls in the administrative interface. The flaw occurs when certain PHP configurations are in place, allowing remote attackers to directly access administrative files without proper authentication or authorization checks. The vulnerability specifically targets files within the admin/includes directory, which are intended to be protected from direct web access but are accessible due to misconfigured server settings or missing access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the lack of proper access validation mechanisms in the affected files. When attackers make direct requests to the listed files including graphs/banner_daily.php, banner_infobox.php, banner_yearly.php, banner_monthly.php, application_bottom.php, attributes_preview.php, and various modules files, the system fails to verify whether the requester has legitimate administrative privileges. Instead, these files execute with default PHP error reporting enabled, causing the web server path information to be exposed in error messages. This path disclosure represents a critical information leak that can provide attackers with detailed insights into the server's file structure and installation paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked web server paths can serve as valuable intelligence for attackers planning more sophisticated attacks. The exposed paths may reveal the exact directory structure, potentially including database connection details, configuration files, and other sensitive components that could be exploited in subsequent attack phases. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a significant security weakness that undermines the principle of least privilege in web application security. The affected files are part of the administrative backend that should never be directly accessible to unauthenticated users, making this a critical access control failure.
The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects multiple administrative files across different functional areas of the Zen Cart system, including reporting modules, product management interfaces, and configuration utilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to map the server filesystem, identify potential weak points in the application architecture, and gather intelligence for privilege escalation or further exploitation attempts. This vulnerability can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file system discovery, and T1566, which addresses credential access through various means including information disclosure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms for all administrative files. Organizations should ensure that all files in the admin/includes directory are protected through proper authentication checks before execution, and that PHP error reporting is disabled or properly configured to prevent path disclosure in error messages. The recommended approach includes implementing robust access control lists, enforcing proper directory permissions, and ensuring that administrative interfaces are protected through strong authentication mechanisms. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that no administrative files are accessible through direct web requests, and server configurations should be reviewed to prevent unintended file access. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining proper access controls and the potential consequences of inadequate security configurations in e-commerce platforms.