CVE-2006-2950 in NPDS
Summary
by MITRE
Net Portal Dynamic System (NPDS) 5.10 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to (1) header.php, (2) contact.php, or (3) forum_extender.php, which reveals the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2950 affects Net Portal Dynamic System versions 5.10 and earlier, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes system paths through error messages generated by specific PHP scripts. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper error handling and information exposure, which is classified as CWE-209 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The affected components include header.php, contact.php, and forum_extender.php files within the NPDS framework, all of which are susceptible to direct remote requests that trigger error conditions revealing sensitive filesystem paths.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling mechanisms within the NPDS application where error messages are generated without proper sanitization or abstraction. When remote attackers make direct requests to the vulnerable PHP scripts, the application fails to properly manage error conditions, resulting in the exposure of absolute or relative filesystem paths in error messages. This information disclosure occurs because the system does not implement proper error suppression or logging mechanisms that would prevent sensitive path information from being returned to unauthorized users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it provides attackers with detailed system structure information that could be leveraged for further exploitation attempts.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations utilizing NPDS 5.10 or earlier versions. The exposure of filesystem paths enables attackers to gain insights into the application's directory structure, potentially revealing the installation location, file organization, and system configuration details. This information can be used to craft more sophisticated attacks, such as directory traversal exploits or to identify other potential vulnerabilities within the system architecture. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves the use of local system privileges to gain access to additional systems or resources, as path exposure can facilitate privilege escalation attempts. Furthermore, this flaw contributes to the broader category of reconnaissance activities that attackers employ to map target environments before launching more targeted attacks.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2950 should focus on implementing proper error handling and input validation mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should upgrade to NPDS versions 5.11 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through improved error management protocols. System administrators should configure the application to suppress detailed error messages in production environments and implement custom error pages that do not reveal system paths or internal application structure. Additionally, implementing proper logging mechanisms with sanitized error reporting can help detect and monitor exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include reviewing all PHP scripts for similar error handling issues and ensuring that error messages are abstracted to prevent information leakage. Security best practices dictate that applications should never expose filesystem paths, directory structures, or internal system information in error messages, as this information can be exploited by attackers to plan more effective attacks against the system infrastructure.