CVE-2006-0327 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
TYPO3 3.7.1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to (1) thumbs.php, (2) showpic.php, or (3) tables.php, which causes them to incorrectly define a variable and reveal the path in an error message when a require function call fails.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-0327 represents a classic information disclosure flaw affecting TYPO3 version 3.7.1. This issue stems from improper error handling mechanisms within three specific PHP scripts that are part of the TYPO3 content management system. The vulnerability manifests when remote attackers directly request these files without proper authentication or validation, leading to the exposure of sensitive system information through error messages. The affected scripts include thumbs.php which handles thumbnail generation, showpic.php for image display functionality, and tables.php which manages database table operations. These files contain critical flaws in their variable initialization processes that cause them to incorrectly define variables when processing user input.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through direct HTTP requests to the vulnerable endpoints, bypassing normal application authentication flows. When these scripts encounter a require function call failure, they fail to properly handle the error condition, resulting in the disclosure of the server's file system path in the generated error message. This path disclosure represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with detailed information about the server's directory structure, potentially enabling further attacks such as path traversal or file inclusion exploits. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which defines information exposure through error messages, and also relates to CWE-470, which addresses unsafe use of the require function. The improper variable definition creates a condition where the application cannot properly validate or sanitize input, leading to the unintended revelation of system paths.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly weakens the security posture of TYPO3 installations by providing attackers with valuable reconnaissance information. The disclosed paths can reveal the complete installation directory structure, including potential subdirectories and file names that might be used in subsequent attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this information to craft more sophisticated attacks, such as exploiting other vulnerabilities in the same installation or performing directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the security triad by exposing system information that should remain private and protected. Organizations running TYPO3 3.7.1 are particularly at risk since the flaw exists in the core file handling mechanisms, making it difficult to patch without upgrading the entire CMS. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file system discovery, as the information disclosure directly enables attackers to map the file system structure.
The recommended mitigation strategies involve immediate upgrading of TYPO3 installations to versions that address this vulnerability, as version 3.7.1 is no longer supported and contains multiple security flaws. Organizations should implement proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within their PHP applications to prevent similar issues in custom code. The fix typically involves ensuring that all require or include statements properly validate their parameters before execution and that error handling routines do not expose system paths or internal application details. Additionally, web application firewalls can be configured to monitor and block direct requests to these specific PHP files, though this represents a temporary workaround rather than a permanent solution. Security hardening practices should include disabling direct access to PHP files that are not intended for public access, implementing proper error handling that sanitizes error messages, and regularly auditing application code for similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper error handling design and input validation in preventing information disclosure attacks that can serve as launching points for more serious security breaches.