CVE-2006-0863 in PortalSE
Summary
by MITRE
InfoVista PortalSE 2.0 Build 20087 on Solaris 8 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by specifying a nonexistent server in the server field, which reveals the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0863 affects InfoVista PortalSE 2.0 Build 20087 running on Solaris 8 systems, representing a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes system paths through improper error handling mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper error handling as defined by CWE-209, where the application fails to sanitize error messages before returning them to users. The flaw specifically manifests when an attacker provides a nonexistent server value in the server field of the application interface, causing the system to generate an error message that inadvertently includes the absolute file path of the vulnerable application within the Solaris 8 filesystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental security weakness in input validation and error message generation processes. When the application encounters a malformed or non-existent server parameter, it does not implement proper sanitization of error responses, resulting in the exposure of the underlying system's directory structure. This path disclosure vulnerability enables attackers to gain insights into the application's deployment environment, including file paths, directory structures, and potentially sensitive system configurations that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where such information disclosure can provide attackers with critical reconnaissance data for subsequent attack phases.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations deploying InfoVista PortalSE in production environments. The exposure of system paths can facilitate directory traversal attacks, help attackers identify potential attack vectors, and provide information that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or other advanced exploitation techniques. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) as it provides adversaries with information about the filesystem structure, which can be used to plan more sophisticated attacks. Additionally, this flaw contributes to the broader category of reconnaissance activities that attackers use to map target environments before executing more destructive operations.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that all error messages generated by the application are sanitized to remove any system-specific information before being returned to users. This includes implementing generic error messages that do not reveal system paths, file locations, or internal application structures. The solution should involve configuring the application to log detailed error information internally while providing only generic error responses to end users. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy applications, particularly those running on older operating systems like Solaris 8, which may lack modern security hardening features. The implementation of web application firewalls and proper security configuration management can further reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider migrating from unsupported legacy systems to more secure modern alternatives that incorporate proper security by design principles.