CVE-2005-4320 in Limbo CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Limbo CMS 1.0.4.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain the installation path of the application via a direct request to (1) doc.inc.php, (2) element.inc.php, and (3) node.inc.php, which leaks the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4320 affects Limbo CMS versions 1.0.4.2 and earlier, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability resides in the application's error handling mechanisms within three specific PHP include files: doc.inc.php, element.inc.php, and node.inc.php. When these files are accessed directly without proper authentication or validation, they generate error messages that inadvertently reveal the absolute file system path where the CMS is installed. Such path disclosure represents a fundamental security weakness that significantly undermines the system's security posture and provides attackers with crucial information for subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the CMS framework. When attackers make direct requests to the vulnerable files, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the incoming requests, leading to the execution of code that generates error messages containing the full system path. This type of information disclosure occurs because the application does not implement proper access controls or error suppression mechanisms for these specific include files. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a classic example of how improper error handling can lead to sensitive data leakage. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the web application.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4320 extends beyond simple path disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical system information that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. Knowledge of the installation path enables attackers to craft targeted exploits that may exploit other vulnerabilities present in the system, such as path traversal attacks or local file inclusion flaws. The leaked path information can also be used to map the server's directory structure, identify other potentially vulnerable applications or files, and facilitate further reconnaissance activities. This vulnerability directly aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Information Gathering phase, specifically targeting the collection of system information and application details that would normally be hidden from external users. The exposure of installation paths can also aid in bypassing certain security controls and may enable attackers to exploit other weaknesses in the system architecture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper access controls and error handling mechanisms within the affected CMS files. The primary solution requires modifying the vulnerable include files to either reject direct access attempts or suppress error messages that contain system path information. System administrators should ensure that these specific PHP files are not accessible through web requests by implementing proper directory permissions, .htaccess restrictions, or application-level access controls. Additionally, updating to a patched version of Limbo CMS that addresses this information disclosure vulnerability is essential. Organizations should also implement comprehensive error handling that does not expose system-level information to end users or external attackers. Regular security audits and input validation checks should be performed to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other parts of the application stack. The remediation process should include disabling direct access to include files and implementing centralized error handling that sanitizes all error messages before display. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper error handling in preventing information disclosure attacks that can significantly compromise system security.