CVE-2006-0895 in NOCC
Summary
by MITRE
NOCC Webmail 1.0 allows remote attackers to obtain the installation path via a direct request to html/header.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-0895 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within NOCC Webmail version 1.0 that exposes sensitive system information to remote attackers. This vulnerability specifically affects the webmail application's handling of direct requests to the html/header.php file, which inadvertently reveals the application's installation path through its response. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper error handling mechanisms within the application's file access routines, allowing unauthorized users to gain knowledge of the underlying file system structure. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-200, which encompasses weaknesses that result in the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. The vulnerability exists due to the application's failure to properly sanitize or restrict access to internal file paths, creating an attack surface that directly compromises the system's security posture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a direct HTTP request to the html/header.php endpoint, which triggers the application to return the full installation path in its response. This path disclosure provides attackers with crucial information about the server's file structure, including directory locations and potentially sensitive configuration details. The flaw demonstrates poor security design practices where the application does not adequately validate or filter incoming requests before processing them, leading to unintended information exposure. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly increases the attack surface by providing attackers with knowledge that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks, including path traversal attempts, privilege escalation, or further reconnaissance activities. The exposure of installation paths can be particularly damaging as it enables attackers to understand the application's architecture and potentially identify other vulnerabilities through knowledge of the file system layout.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with foundational knowledge required for subsequent exploitation phases. Once the installation path is known, attackers can more effectively plan targeted attacks against specific components of the webmail system, potentially leading to unauthorized access to user data or system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with several techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the information gathering and reconnaissance phases, where adversaries collect system information to inform their attack strategies. The flaw represents a classic example of how insufficient access controls and error handling can create security weaknesses that directly impact system confidentiality. Organizations running affected versions of NOCC Webmail should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates or patches that address the path disclosure issue. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, access controls, and error handling mechanisms can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other applications. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper security testing during application development to prevent information disclosure flaws that can significantly compromise system security and user privacy.