CVE-2006-3003 in Easy Ad-Manager
Summary
by MITRE
details.php in Easy Ad-Manager allows remote attackers to obtain the full installation path via an invalid mbid parameter, which leaks the path in an error message. NOTE: this might be resultant from another vulnerability, since this vector also produces cross-site scripting (XSS). NOTE: on 20060829, the vendor notified CVE that this issue has been fixed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3003 affects the Easy Ad-Manager application, specifically its details.php script which is designed to manage advertisement data. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that exposes critical system details to remote attackers through improper error handling mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker submits an invalid mbid parameter to the details.php endpoint, triggering an error message that inadvertently reveals the complete server installation path. This type of information disclosure directly violates security principles by providing attackers with sensitive system architecture information that could be leveraged for further exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the application's parameter processing logic. When the mbid parameter fails validation, the system does not properly sanitize or handle the error condition, instead allowing the raw error message to be returned to the client. This behavior creates a path disclosure condition that falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and specifically aligns with CWE-425, which addresses "Direct Request (aka Forceful Browsing) and CWE-117, "Improper Output Neutralization for Logs". The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where error messages contain system-specific information that should remain hidden from end users or attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple path disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. The vendor's note indicating that this vulnerability also produces cross-site scripting (XSS) capabilities demonstrates how a single flaw can compound into multiple attack vectors. An attacker who obtains the installation path can potentially use this information to craft targeted attacks against specific system components, understand the application's directory structure, and identify potential weaknesses in the overall system architecture. The presence of XSS capability means that attackers can execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" within the attack framework.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires comprehensive input validation and error handling improvements. The application must implement proper parameter validation to reject invalid mbid values without exposing system information in error messages. Error handling should be designed to return generic error responses that do not disclose installation paths or system details. Security patches should include sanitization of all user inputs and ensure that error messages are properly formatted to prevent information leakage. Additionally, implementing proper logging mechanisms can help detect and respond to exploitation attempts. The vendor's acknowledgment and subsequent fix demonstrate the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the need for thorough security testing of web applications. Organizations should implement regular vulnerability assessments and security reviews to identify and remediate similar path disclosure issues that could exist in other applications within their infrastructure.