CVE-2006-0174 in Enterprise Collaboration
Summary
by MITRE
Hummingbird Collaboration (aka Hummingbird Enterprise Collaboration) 5.21 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information (intranet IP addresses and enumerations of valid parameter values) via a direct request to hc, which reveals the information in an error message or a cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0174 affects Hummingbird Collaboration version 5.21 and earlier, representing a significant information disclosure weakness within enterprise collaboration software. This flaw enables remote attackers to extract sensitive intranet IP addresses and valid parameter value enumerations through direct requests to the hc component, demonstrating a critical oversight in the application's security design and input validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient error handling and output sanitization within the hc module of the Hummingbird Enterprise Collaboration system. When attackers submit crafted requests directly to this component, the application fails to properly validate or filter the input parameters, resulting in the exposure of internal network information through error messages or cookie contents. This behavior aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure through error messages, and represents a classic example of how improper error handling can lead to reconnaissance opportunities for malicious actors. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the web application's response mechanisms rather than underlying network protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can significantly aid in subsequent attack phases. The exposure of intranet IP addresses creates a map of internal network topology that attackers can leverage for network mapping and lateral movement. Additionally, the enumeration of valid parameter values allows threat actors to better understand the application's expected input formats and potentially identify other vulnerable endpoints. This information disclosure directly supports techniques outlined in the ATT&CK framework under initial access and reconnaissance phases, where adversaries seek to gather system information to plan more targeted attacks.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of Hummingbird Collaboration face substantial risk from this vulnerability, particularly in environments where network segmentation is not properly implemented. The exposure of internal IP addresses and parameter enumerations can enable attackers to conduct more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation attempts or targeted exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the internal network. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture, where proper input validation and error handling mechanisms are missing or insufficient. The risk is amplified when considering that this vulnerability affects enterprise collaboration systems, which often serve as central points of access for internal communications and may contain sensitive business data or serve as entry points to broader network infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates to versions that address the information disclosure issues. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls to filter and monitor requests to the hc component, while ensuring proper input validation and error handling mechanisms are in place. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive network scans to identify any exposed internal IP addresses and parameter enumerations that may have been previously disclosed, and implement proper access controls to limit direct exposure of internal components to external networks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security testing procedures to identify similar information disclosure weaknesses in enterprise applications.