CVE-2006-2091 in Virtual War
Summary
by MITRE
admin.php in Virtual War (VWar) 1.5 and versions before 1.2 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an invalid vwar_root parameter, which reveals the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2091 affects Virtual War (VWar) version 1.5 and earlier releases, specifically targeting the admin.php component within the application's administrative interface. This security flaw represents a classic path disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the application fails to properly validate user input parameters, particularly the vwar_root parameter. The vulnerability exists in the application's error handling mechanism where invalid input triggers error messages that inadvertently expose the server's file system paths to remote attackers. Such path disclosure vulnerabilities are categorized under CWE-209, which specifically addresses error message information exposure, and fall within the broader category of information disclosure flaws that can significantly aid attackers in understanding the target system's structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the vwar_root parameter in the admin.php script to provide invalid or malformed input values. When the application processes this invalid parameter, it generates an error message that contains the full file system path where the application is installed on the server. This path information reveals critical details about the server's directory structure including the root directory location, which can be used by attackers to map the application's file system hierarchy and potentially identify other vulnerable components or sensitive files. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate error handling that violates fundamental security principles for secure coding practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The exposed paths can reveal the exact location where the VWar application is installed, potentially exposing sensitive directories or files that might contain configuration information, database credentials, or other sensitive data. Attackers can use this information to plan subsequent exploitation attempts including directory traversal attacks, file inclusion vulnerabilities, or to identify potential targets for privilege escalation. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the reconnaissance phase, specifically in the information gathering sub-techniques that involve path disclosure and system enumeration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the application. Developers should sanitize all user input parameters including the vwar_root parameter, ensuring that invalid inputs are handled gracefully without exposing system information. The application should implement custom error pages that do not reveal system paths or internal application details, adhering to the principle of least privilege in error reporting. Additionally, the application should validate the vwar_root parameter against expected values or patterns, and implement proper access controls to ensure that administrative functions are only accessible to authorized users. Security patches for this vulnerability would typically involve updating the VWar application to version 1.2 or later, where the input validation and error handling have been properly implemented to prevent path disclosure. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.