CVE-2006-1119 in Fantastico De Luxe
Summary
by MITRE
fantastico in Cpanel does not properly handle when it has insufficient permissions to perform certain file operations, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain the full pathname, which is leaked in a PHP error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1119 resides within the fantastico component of cPanel, a widely deployed web hosting control panel solution that manages various server operations including file management and application installations. This flaw represents a path traversal and information disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the fantastico module fails to properly validate or handle insufficient permissions during file operations. The issue manifests when authenticated users attempt to perform operations that require elevated privileges, but the system does not adequately sanitize error handling responses.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific error handling mechanism within the fantastico module where insufficient permissions for file operations trigger PHP error messages containing the full filesystem path. This path disclosure happens because the system does not properly implement exception handling or permission validation before attempting file operations. When a user with insufficient privileges attempts to perform operations such as file creation, modification, or deletion, the system generates a PHP error that inadvertently reveals the complete directory structure to the authenticated attacker. This behavior directly violates security principles of least privilege and proper error handling, as the system should mask internal path information from users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple path disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance information that can be leveraged in subsequent attacks. The leaked path information can be used to understand the server's directory structure, potentially revealing sensitive locations such as configuration files, backup directories, or other system components that may contain additional vulnerabilities. This information disclosure can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including directory traversal attempts, file inclusion exploits, or targeted attacks against specific system components. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in shared hosting environments where multiple users have access to the same control panel interface, as it can reveal information about other users' file structures and potentially lead to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the hosting environment.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which defines information exposure through error messages, and represents a classic example of poor error handling practices in web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) as it enables attackers to gather information about system file structures. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper access control validation and error sanitization within the cPanel ecosystem, where the fantastico module fails to implement robust permission checking before executing potentially sensitive file operations. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of cPanel, implementing proper error handling that does not expose system paths, and ensuring that all file operations include appropriate permission validation. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict access to fantastico functionality where possible, as the vulnerability requires authenticated access but can be exploited by any user with valid credentials to the control panel system.