CVE-2005-4148 in listmanager
Summary
by MITRE
lyris listmanager 8.5 and possibly other versions before 8.8 includes sensitive information in the env hidden variable which allows remote attackers to obtain information such as the installation path by requesting a non-existent page and reading the env variable from the resulting error message page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4148 represents a classic case of information disclosure through improper error handling in web applications. This flaw affects Lyris ListManager version 8.5 and potentially earlier versions up to 8.8, where the application fails to properly sanitize error messages that contain sensitive system information. The vulnerability stems from the application's handling of the env hidden variable, which inadvertently exposes critical system details when processing requests for non-existent pages. When an attacker accesses a non-existent resource, the error page generated by the application includes the env variable containing installation path information and other potentially sensitive data. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of Information Exposure and represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance information that can be used to plan further attacks. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and error handling practices that violate fundamental security principles.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's lack of proper error message sanitization mechanisms. When a request is made for a non-existent page, the Lyris ListManager application does not filter or redact sensitive information from the error response. The env hidden variable contains system paths, configuration details, and potentially other sensitive data that should never be exposed to unauthenticated users. This exposure occurs because the application's error handling routine does not distinguish between legitimate error information that should be displayed to administrators and sensitive data that should remain private. The vulnerability essentially allows for passive reconnaissance where attackers can gather system information without requiring any special privileges or authentication. From an operational perspective, this information disclosure creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including path traversal exploits, privilege escalation attempts, and targeted attacks against specific system components. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special user interaction beyond accessing a malformed URL, making it easily exploitable through automated scanning tools.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure and can significantly weaken an organization's security posture. Attackers who obtain installation paths can use this information to craft more targeted attacks against specific system configurations or to identify potential weaknesses in the application's architecture. The exposure of system paths may reveal the operating system type, file structure, and application deployment patterns that could be leveraged in subsequent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including reconnaissance and initial access phases where attackers gather intelligence about target systems. Organizations running affected versions of Lyris ListManager face increased risk of downstream attacks that could exploit the disclosed information to bypass security controls or gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability also demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege, as the error handling mechanism unnecessarily exposes system details to all users, including potential attackers. Security teams should consider this as a critical vulnerability requiring immediate remediation, as it provides attackers with valuable intelligence that can be used to plan more sophisticated attacks against the system.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to Lyris ListManager version 8.8 or later, which contains fixes for this information disclosure vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper error handling procedures that ensure sensitive system information is never exposed in error messages, regardless of the application version. This includes configuring the application to return generic error messages to users while logging detailed error information securely for administrators. Additional defensive measures should include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block requests attempting to access non-existent resources, as well as monitoring for unusual patterns of error message exposure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and proper input validation. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in their web applications and ensure that error handling mechanisms are properly configured to prevent unintended information exposure. Compliance with industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks should include specific controls addressing error handling and information disclosure prevention.