CVE-2006-4752 in Expandable Home Page Cms
Summary
by MITRE
Laurentiu Matei eXpandable Home Page (XHP) CMS 0.5.1 allows remote attackers to obtain the installation path via a query to the engine module, probably with an invalid action parameter.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4752 affects the Laurentiu Matei eXpandable Home Page (XHP) Content Management System version 0.5.1, representing a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the engine module processes requests containing invalid action parameters, allowing unauthorized users to extract the absolute installation path of the CMS through a simple query mechanism. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and error handling practices within the application's core processing logic, creating an avenue for attackers to gather critical system information that could facilitate subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter validation within the XHP CMS engine module. When an attacker submits a request with an invalid action parameter, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing, resulting in the exposure of the installation path through error messages or direct response data. This behavior aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure vulnerabilities that occur when systems inadvertently reveal sensitive information about their internal structure or configuration. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with network access to the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond mere information disclosure, as the exposed installation path provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. Knowledge of the exact file system location enables attackers to craft targeted attacks against specific file paths, potentially leading to directory traversal exploits, local file inclusion vulnerabilities, or other path-based attacks. This information disclosure creates a foundation for privilege escalation and system compromise, as attackers can now map the application's file structure and identify potential attack vectors. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the risk of information leakage that can undermine the overall security posture of the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and error handling within the XHP CMS engine module. The system should validate all action parameters against a predefined whitelist of acceptable values and implement generic error responses that do not disclose system-specific information. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests, while conducting regular security audits to identify similar input validation weaknesses. The remediation process should follow the principle of least privilege by ensuring that error messages do not contain sensitive path information, and the system should be updated to a newer version of the CMS where this vulnerability has been addressed. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.