CVE-2006-1832 in sysinfo
Summary
by MITRE
sysinfo.cgi in sysinfo 1.21 allows remote attackers to obtain the installation path via the debugger action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1832 affects the sysinfo 1.21 web application, specifically targeting the sysinfo.cgi component that handles system information retrieval. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability where unauthorized remote attackers can exploit a debugger action to obtain sensitive installation path information from the affected system. The vulnerability exists within the web interface's handling of debug requests, creating an unintended information leak that could provide attackers with critical system configuration details.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the sysinfo.cgi script. When a debugger action is invoked through the web interface, the application fails to properly restrict or filter the debug parameters, allowing the full installation path to be exposed in the response. This occurs because the system does not implement proper access controls or output filtering mechanisms to prevent sensitive path information from being returned to unauthenticated or unauthorized users. The flaw resides in the application's lack of proper privilege separation and security context awareness during debug operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for system administrators and security professionals. The exposure of installation paths provides attackers with crucial information that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts. Knowledge of the exact installation directory structure enables attackers to craft more targeted attacks, potentially leading to directory traversal exploits, file inclusion vulnerabilities, or other path-based attacks. The information disclosure could also facilitate reconnaissance activities, allowing adversaries to map the system environment and identify potential additional vulnerabilities within the same application or related components.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1083, Information Discovery. The flaw represents a common pattern in web application security where debug features are not properly secured or disabled in production environments. Organizations with vulnerable systems may find that this information disclosure serves as a stepping stone to more serious compromises, as the installation path information can be used to understand the application's architecture and potentially locate other sensitive files or components that may be accessible through predictable path structures.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of access controls and input validation measures. System administrators should disable or restrict debug functionality in production environments, ensuring that the debugger action is either completely removed or properly authenticated. The application should be updated to implement proper output filtering that prevents path information from being exposed in responses, regardless of the action requested. Additionally, implementing proper logging of debug requests and monitoring for unusual access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar issues in other application components, ensuring that all debug features are properly secured before deployment in production environments.