CVE-2005-4787 in SunShop Shopping Cart
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Turnkey Web Tools SunShop Shopping Cart allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a phpinfo action to (1) index.php, (2) admin/index.php, and (3) admin/adminindex.php, which executes the PHP phpinfo function. NOTE: The vendor has disputed this issue, saying that "Having this in the code makes it easier for us to troubleshoot when issues arise on individual carts. For someone to have a script to do this type of search would require that they know where your shop is actually located. I dont think it really can be construde [sic] as a security issue."
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4787 relates to the Turnkey Web Tools SunShop Shopping Cart software where the phpinfo function is exposed through multiple entry points including index.php, admin/index.php, and admin/adminindex.php. This exposure occurs when attackers can trigger a phpinfo action that executes the PHP function, potentially revealing sensitive server configuration details. The vulnerability is classified as disputed by the vendor, who argues that the phpinfo functionality serves legitimate troubleshooting purposes and that discovering such endpoints requires prior knowledge of the target system's location. This assessment raises questions about the actual security implications of exposing phpinfo output in production environments, particularly when the function can be triggered remotely without proper authentication mechanisms.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from the improper exposure of the phpinfo function within the application's core files and administrative interfaces. When the phpinfo function executes, it reveals extensive information about the PHP environment, including loaded extensions, configuration settings, environment variables, and potentially sensitive server information such as PHP version, enabled modules, and system paths. This information can be exploited by attackers to understand the target environment's configuration, identify potential attack vectors, and plan more sophisticated attacks against the system. The vulnerability exists because the application does not properly authenticate or authorize access to these administrative functions, allowing any remote user to trigger the phpinfo output through direct URL manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed phpinfo output can provide attackers with critical intelligence for further exploitation. Security researchers have noted that such information disclosure can lead to more severe consequences including identification of vulnerable PHP extensions, detection of insecure configurations, and potential exploitation of known vulnerabilities in PHP modules or server components. The presence of phpinfo output in publicly accessible locations creates a significant risk for systems where attackers can enumerate or guess valid URLs, potentially leading to reconnaissance activities that could facilitate more targeted attacks against the application or underlying infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where proper access controls are not implemented to restrict access to administrative functions.
The vendor's position that this constitutes a security issue is debatable from a modern cybersecurity perspective, as the mere presence of phpinfo output does not automatically create a security vulnerability. However, the fundamental principle of least privilege and defense in depth suggests that administrative functions should not be exposed to unauthenticated users. According to CWE standards, this situation relates to CWE-200: Information Exposure and CWE-284: Improper Access Control, both of which are commonly referenced in security assessments. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under Initial Access and Reconnaissance techniques where adversaries gather information about target systems to plan further attacks. Organizations should implement proper access controls and remove or disable debug functions from production environments to mitigate this type of information disclosure vulnerability. The disputed nature of this CVE highlights the importance of vendor communication and the need for security professionals to evaluate the actual risk based on their specific environment and threat landscape rather than relying solely on vendor assessments.