CVE-2005-4304 in ezDatabase
Summary
by MITRE
index.php in ezDatabase 2.1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an invalid cat_id parameter, which leaks the full pathname in an error message. NOTE: these details are uncertain because the original report has terminology problems and lack of relevant details. The description is based partially on feedback comments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4304 affects ezDatabase version 2.1.2 and earlier, specifically targeting the index.php script within this database management system. This issue represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the application fails to properly validate user input parameters. The flaw manifests when an attacker submits an invalid cat_id parameter to the index.php endpoint, resulting in the exposure of sensitive system information through error messages.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper error handling within the ezDatabase application's parameter validation logic. When the cat_id parameter is malformed or nonexistent, the system generates an error message that inadvertently includes the full filesystem path where the application is installed. This occurs because the error handling routine does not sanitize the output before presenting it to the remote attacker, creating a path disclosure condition that violates fundamental security principles of information hiding.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system security and confidentiality. The leaked pathname information provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can be used to plan more sophisticated attacks against the target system. The exposed full path disclosure creates opportunities for directory traversal attacks, local file inclusion vulnerabilities, and other exploitation techniques that rely on knowledge of the application's filesystem structure. Additionally, this information can be combined with other reconnaissance data to map the target environment and identify potential attack vectors.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which defines information exposure through error messages, and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and error handling in web applications. This issue also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities to gather system information. The lack of proper sanitization of error messages represents a fundamental security oversight that can be addressed through defensive programming practices and adherence to secure coding standards.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include implementing proper input validation to reject malformed cat_id parameters before they can trigger error conditions. The application should be configured to suppress detailed error messages from being displayed to end users, instead logging such errors internally while presenting generic messages to attackers. Additionally, the system should be updated to a newer version of ezDatabase that addresses this specific issue, as the vulnerability appears to be resolved in later releases. Organizations should also implement proper error handling mechanisms that do not expose system paths or internal application details in error responses, following the principle of least privilege in error reporting and ensuring that error messages provide minimal information necessary for legitimate troubleshooting while concealing sensitive system details.