CVE-2006-1677 in Md-pro
Summary
by MITRE
MAXdev MDPro 1.0.73 and 1.0.72, and possibly other versions before 1.076, allows remote attackers to obtain the full path of the server via a direct request to includes/legacy.php.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1677 affects MAXdev MDPro versions 1.0.73 and 1.0.72, with potential impact extending to earlier versions before 1.0.76. This security flaw represents a path disclosure vulnerability that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive server path information through direct access to a specific file within the application's directory structure. The affected component includes the legacy.php file located in the includes directory, which when accessed directly reveals critical system path details to unauthorized users. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure weaknesses that can significantly aid attackers in planning subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper error handling and insufficient input validation within the MDPro application framework. When a remote attacker makes a direct request to includes/legacy.php, the application fails to properly sanitize or restrict access to this particular file, resulting in the exposure of the complete server file path. This occurs because the application does not implement proper access controls or authentication mechanisms for internal system files, allowing any remote user to retrieve path information that would normally be restricted. The vulnerability operates at the application level and demonstrates a lack of proper security controls that should prevent unauthorized access to internal system components. From a cybersecurity perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure, and represents a classic example of insufficient access control mechanisms that can be exploited through direct object reference manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked path information can serve as a crucial piece of intelligence for attackers planning more sophisticated attacks. When an attacker obtains the full server path, they gain valuable insights into the application's directory structure, which can be leveraged to identify other potential vulnerabilities, understand the system architecture, and potentially exploit additional weaknesses in the application's security posture. This information disclosure can enable attackers to craft more targeted attacks against other components of the system, potentially leading to further compromise of the server environment. The vulnerability essentially provides an attacker with a roadmap of the server's internal structure, making subsequent exploitation attempts more efficient and successful. The impact is particularly concerning in environments where multiple applications share similar directory structures or where the disclosed paths reveal sensitive system information that could be used in privilege escalation attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-1677 should focus on implementing proper access controls and input validation mechanisms within the application framework. The primary remediation involves restricting direct access to internal system files such as includes/legacy.php by implementing proper authentication checks, access control lists, or by removing direct URL access to sensitive components. Organizations should also implement proper error handling that does not reveal system path information in error messages or direct responses. The recommended approach includes configuring web server access controls to prevent unauthorized access to internal application files, implementing proper input validation for all user requests, and ensuring that error pages do not expose sensitive system information. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar path disclosure vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability relates to techniques involving reconnaissance and initial access phases, where adversaries gather information about target systems to facilitate more advanced attack vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of principle of least privilege and proper application security controls that prevent information disclosure through unauthorized access to internal system components.