CVE-2006-4873 in Jupiter CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Jupiter CMS allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request for (1) includes/functions.php, (2) modules/register.php, (3) modules/poll.php, (4) modules/panel.php, (5) modules/pm.php, (6) modules/news.php, (7) modules/templates_change.php, (8) modules/users.php, (9) modules/misc.php, (10) modules/masspm.php, (11) modules/mass-email.php, (12) modules/main-nav.php, (13) modules/login.php, (14) modules/layout.php, (15) modules/hq.php, (16) modules/forum.php, (17) modules/forum-admin.php, (18) modules/events.php, (19) modules/emoticons.php, (20) modules/download.php, (21) modules/blocks.php, (22) modules/ban.php, (23) modules/badwords.php, (24) modules/ads.php, or (25) modules/admin.php, which reveals the installation path in various error messages. NOTE: The modules/online.php vector is already covered by CVE-2006-1679.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4873 affects Jupiter CMS, a content management system that suffered from insecure direct object reference flaws leading to information disclosure. This weakness allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information through direct requests to specific module files within the application's directory structure. The vulnerability specifically targets twenty-five distinct module files including functions.php, register.php, poll.php, and various administrative components, all of which contain error messages revealing the system's installation path when accessed directly without proper authentication or authorization checks.
The technical flaw stems from the application's failure to implement proper access controls and input validation mechanisms for its module files. When attackers make direct requests to these specific PHP files, the system does not verify whether the requester has appropriate privileges or if the request is legitimate. Instead, the application processes these requests and generates error messages that inadvertently expose the absolute file system path where Jupiter CMS is installed. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic example of information disclosure through error handling mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates poor security design where the system's error responses contain exploitable data that should remain confidential.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with critical information needed for further exploitation attempts. The disclosed installation path enables adversaries to understand the system's directory structure, potentially facilitating directory traversal attacks, local file inclusion vulnerabilities, or other advanced exploitation techniques. Attackers can use this information to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting specific files or directories within the CMS installation. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as it violates the principle of least privilege by exposing system information to unauthorized parties. This information disclosure can serve as a foundation for subsequent attacks including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or system compromise, making it a critical security concern for any system running affected Jupiter CMS versions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access control mechanisms and input validation for all module files. Organizations should ensure that all module files require proper authentication before execution and that error messages do not contain sensitive system information. The implementation of proper authorization checks using principles such as role-based access control would prevent unauthorized access to administrative modules. Additionally, error handling should be standardized to prevent information leakage through error messages, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security audits to detect and prevent such unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper error handling as emphasized in the ATT&CK framework's technique for credential access through information discovery. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be implemented to address similar vulnerabilities in the application's codebase.