CVE-2006-1112 in Aztek Forum
Summary
by MITRE
Aztek Forum 4.0 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a long login value in a register form, which displays the installation path in a MySQL error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-1112 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Aztek Forum 4.0 web application. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers submit excessively long login values through the registration form, triggering a MySQL database error message that inadvertently reveals the application's installation path. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-209, which focuses on error message information exposure, and represents a significant security risk that can provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a simple yet effective method of input manipulation. When users attempt to register with login names exceeding the system's expected length limits, the application fails to truncate or properly validate these inputs before passing them to the database layer. The database engine generates an error message containing the full installation path, which is then displayed to the attacker through the web interface. This behavior demonstrates poor secure coding practices and highlights the absence of proper input sanitization and error handling protocols that should be implemented according to industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. The exposure of system paths can provide attackers with critical information about the server environment, including file locations, directory structures, and potentially sensitive configuration details that could be leveraged for further attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with foundational reconnaissance data that can be used for more sophisticated exploitation attempts. The revealed installation path can be used to map the application's directory structure, potentially exposing other sensitive files or directories that might not be directly accessible through normal web browsing. This information can significantly reduce the attack surface for subsequent exploitation attempts, including potential directory traversal attacks or other path-based vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also demonstrates a broader issue with the application's error handling design, which should never expose internal system information to end users under any circumstances. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with the T1083 technique for discovering system information, as it provides attackers with critical system metadata that can be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate input validation issue and the broader error handling design flaw. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input length validation and sanitization for all user-supplied data, particularly in registration and authentication forms. The application should truncate or reject login values that exceed reasonable length limits, preventing the database from encountering malformed input that could trigger error messages. Additionally, comprehensive error handling mechanisms must be implemented to ensure that database errors are logged internally but not displayed to end users. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and secure error handling as recommended by the CWE guidelines. Organizations should also implement proper logging and monitoring of suspicious input patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails for forensic analysis. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other input validation points throughout the application. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of defensive programming practices and the need for applications to never expose internal system information through user-facing error messages, as this information can be leveraged by attackers to plan more sophisticated attacks against the system.