CVE-2006-0590 in MyTopix
Summary
by MITRE
MyTopix 1.2.3 allows remote attackers to obtain the installation path via an invalid hl parameter to index.php, which leads to path disclosure, possibly related to invalid SQL syntax.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0590 affects MyTopix version 1.2.3, a web-based content management system that was prevalent during the mid-2000s era. This vulnerability represents a classic path disclosure issue that occurs when the application fails to properly validate user input parameters. The specific flaw manifests when an attacker sends a malformed hl parameter to the index.php script, which triggers the application to reveal sensitive path information in error messages or debug output. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure, which is classified as CWE-209 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system, specifically dealing with generation of error messages containing sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it provides attackers with knowledge of the server's file system structure, which can serve as a foundation for further exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and error handling within the MyTopix application's parameter processing mechanism. When the hl parameter is submitted with invalid syntax or content, the application's database interaction routine fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before using it in SQL queries. This results in an error message being generated that inadvertently exposes the full server path where the application is installed. The error occurs because the system attempts to execute an SQL statement with the malformed parameter, causing a database error that is then displayed to the user. This behavior is consistent with CWE-200, which covers information exposure, and represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where error handling does not adequately protect sensitive system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical reconnaissance data that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. When an attacker can determine the installation path, they gain valuable insights into the server environment, including directory structures, file locations, and potentially the operating system in use. This information can be used to craft targeted attacks against specific file paths, identify version-specific vulnerabilities, or plan directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovering file and directory permissions, as the disclosed path information can reveal system configuration details. Additionally, this type of information disclosure can facilitate further exploitation by providing attackers with knowledge of the application's internal structure, potentially enabling them to identify other vulnerabilities or plan more effective attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-0590 should focus on implementing proper input validation, error handling, and output sanitization within the MyTopix application. The primary fix involves modifying the index.php script to validate all incoming parameters before processing them, ensuring that invalid hl parameter values are either rejected or properly sanitized before any database operations occur. Organizations should implement comprehensive error handling that prevents sensitive system information from being exposed to end users, including custom error pages that do not reveal installation paths or database structure details. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and follows security best practices outlined in various industry standards including ISO 27001 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation vulnerabilities that may exist in other parts of the application, as this type of flaw often indicates broader architectural security issues that require systematic remediation rather than isolated fixes.