CVE-2006-2886 in KnowledgeTree
Summary
by MITRE
view.php in KnowledgeTree Open Source 3.0.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain the full installation path via a crafted fDocumentId parameter, which displays the path in the resulting error message. NOTE: this might be resultant from another vulnerability, since this vector also produces XSS.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2886 affects KnowledgeTree Open Source version 3.0.3 and earlier, presenting a critical information disclosure issue that exposes the full server installation path to remote attackers. This flaw exists within the view.php component of the application, where a specially crafted fDocumentId parameter triggers an error response containing the complete file system path. The vulnerability represents a classic path disclosure vulnerability that violates security best practices by inadvertently revealing sensitive system information that could aid attackers in planning subsequent attacks. According to CWE-200, this vulnerability falls under information exposure, specifically the disclosure of system information that should remain confidential and protected from unauthorized access. The exposure of installation paths provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can be leveraged to understand the server environment and potentially identify other vulnerabilities within the system architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the KnowledgeTree application. When a malicious user submits a crafted fDocumentId parameter to the view.php script, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing it. Instead of gracefully handling invalid input or implementing proper error suppression, the system generates an error message that explicitly includes the full file path where the application is installed. This error message is then returned to the attacker, providing them with detailed information about the server's file structure and installation location. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security coding practices where error messages are not properly sanitized or where the application does not implement appropriate input validation to prevent such information leakage. The error handling mechanism in this case fails to distinguish between legitimate error conditions that require user feedback and malicious input that should trigger generic error responses without exposing system details.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks and significantly increases the attack surface for potential exploitation. When an attacker obtains the full installation path, they gain valuable intelligence about the server environment that can be used to target other vulnerabilities within the same system or application. This information disclosure can be particularly dangerous when combined with other vulnerabilities, as demonstrated by the note indicating this vector also produces cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities. The exposure of installation paths may reveal directory structures, file naming conventions, and potentially even version-specific information that could be used to identify known exploits or vulnerabilities within the KnowledgeTree system. Attackers can use this information to craft more targeted attacks, bypass security controls, or even exploit other components of the application that may be running in the same directory structure. The vulnerability also impacts the principle of least privilege by providing attackers with detailed system information that should remain confidential.
The security implications of CVE-2006-2886 align with several ATT&CK framework techniques, particularly those related to reconnaissance and credential access. The vulnerability enables threat actors to gather system information through the ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1592 (Get Details of Network Service) by exposing the application's installation path. Additionally, the combination of path disclosure with XSS capabilities creates a multi-vector attack scenario that can be categorized under T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can leverage the exposed paths to craft more effective XSS payloads or potentially escalate privileges through directory traversal attacks. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain where initial reconnaissance through path disclosure leads to more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of implementing proper error handling and input validation as recommended by OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, which emphasize the need to prevent information leakage through error messages.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2886 should focus on implementing robust input validation, proper error handling, and security configuration practices. Organizations should immediately upgrade to KnowledgeTree Open Source versions 3.0.4 or later, where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and error message handling. The application should be configured to suppress detailed error messages from being displayed to end users, instead implementing generic error responses that do not reveal system information. Security practitioners should implement proper parameter validation to ensure that all input parameters are properly sanitized before processing, particularly for parameters like fDocumentId that are susceptible to manipulation. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter patterns, applying proper access controls to limit the exposure of sensitive system information, and conducting regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The implementation of these controls should follow the principle of defense in depth, ensuring that even if one control fails, other security measures provide protection against exploitation of this vulnerability.