CVE-2005-4173 in eFiction
Summary
by MITRE
eFiction 1.0, 1.1, and 2.0 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by accessing phpinfo.php, which executes the PHP phpinfo function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4173 affects eFiction versions 1.0, 1.1, and 2.0, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability stems from the improper configuration of the application's web server environment where a phpinfo.php file is accessible without authentication. The phpinfo function in PHP is designed to display detailed configuration information about the PHP environment, including system configuration parameters, enabled extensions, environment variables, and potentially sensitive information about the server setup. When this file becomes accessible to unauthorized users, it creates a significant security risk as it reveals comprehensive details about the underlying server infrastructure and PHP configuration that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the absence of proper access controls or authentication mechanisms for the phpinfo.php file within the eFiction application. This file typically contains extensive information including PHP version details, compiled-in modules, configuration directives, environment variables, and server information that could aid in crafting more sophisticated attacks. The flaw represents a violation of the principle of least privilege, as the file should only be accessible to authorized administrators for debugging purposes. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure issues, and demonstrates how misconfigured web applications can inadvertently provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that would otherwise be restricted to system administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly weakens the security posture of affected systems by providing attackers with critical intelligence for subsequent exploitation attempts. An attacker who discovers this accessible phpinfo.php file can gather information about the server's operating system, PHP configuration, installed extensions, and potentially even database connection details or file paths that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or other attacks. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized access to system information that should remain protected. The exposure of such information could enable attackers to identify specific PHP versions, detect potentially vulnerable extensions, or discover configuration weaknesses that could be exploited in conjunction with other vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4173 should focus on immediate remediation of the exposed phpinfo.php file and implementation of proper access controls. Organizations should remove or secure access to any phpinfo.php files that are not required for legitimate administrative purposes, ensuring that such files are only accessible to authorized personnel with proper authentication. This aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques, specifically targeting the removal of tools or files that could be used for reconnaissance. System administrators should implement proper file access controls, ensure that web server configurations do not expose debugging files, and conduct regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, the implementation of web application firewalls and proper network segmentation can help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive files, while regular patch management ensures that such configuration errors are addressed through updated application versions that properly secure administrative files and prevent unintended exposure of system information.