CVE-2006-4986 in BandSite CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Grayscale BandSite CMS allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request for (1) certain files in the includes/content directory, (2) includes/shows_preview.php, and (3) adminpanel/configform.php; and files in adminpanel/includes/ including (4) mailinglist/disphtmltbl.php, (5) mailinglist/dispxls.php, (6) mailinglist/sendshows.php, (7) previews/preview_bio.php, (8) previews/preview_genmerch.php, (9) previews/preview_fliers.php, (10) previews/preview_gbook.php, (11) previews/preview_interviews.php, (12) previews/preview_links.php, (13) previews/preview_lyrics.php, (14) previews/preview_membio.php, (15) previews/preview_merchphotos.php, (16) previews/preview_mp3s.php, (17) previews/preview_news.php, (18) previews/preview_photos.php, (19) previews/preview_releases.php, (20) previews/preview_relmerch.php, (21) previews/preview_relphotos.php, (22) previews/preview_reviews.php, (23) previews/preview_shows.php, (24) previews/preview_wearmerch.php, (25) change_forms/change_bio.php, (26) change_forms/change_fliers.php, (27) change_forms/change_gbook.php, (28) change_forms/change_gen_merch.php, (29) change_forms/change_interview.php, (30) change_forms/change_links.php, (31) change_forms/change_lyrics.php, (32) change_forms/change_members.php, (33) change_forms/change_merch.php, (34) change_forms/change_merch_pic.php, (35) change_forms/change_mp3s.php, (36) change_forms/change_news.php, (37) change_forms/change_photos.php, (38) change_forms/change_rel_merch.php, (39) change_forms/change_rel_pic.php, (40) change_forms/change_releases.php, (41) change_forms/change_reviews.php, (42) change_forms/change_shows.php, and (43) change_forms/change_wear_merch.php, which reveals the path in various error messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4986 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Grayscale BandSite Content Management System that exposes sensitive system paths through improper error handling mechanisms. This weakness allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to directory structures and file paths that should remain confidential, potentially providing attackers with valuable reconnaissance information for subsequent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability affects multiple components of the CMS including content management files, administrative interfaces, and various preview and change forms that are integral to the site's functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize error messages and handle file access requests. When attackers make direct requests to specific files within the includes/content directory, the application generates error responses that inadvertently reveal the full server path where the CMS is installed. This occurs because the system does not properly validate or filter user input before processing file requests, allowing malicious actors to probe the system's file structure and identify sensitive path information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects both frontend content files and backend administrative components, providing attackers with comprehensive insight into the application's directory hierarchy.
The operational impact of this information disclosure vulnerability extends beyond simple path revelation, as it significantly weakens the overall security posture of affected systems. Attackers can leverage the disclosed paths to craft more sophisticated attacks, including potential directory traversal exploits, local file inclusion vulnerabilities, or privilege escalation attempts. The exposure of administrative paths such as adminpanel/configform.php and various mailing list components creates additional attack surface that could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files or user data. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure through improper error handling, and represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security design.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the CMS is publicly accessible. Remote attackers can systematically probe the application's file structure by making direct HTTP requests to the specified endpoints, collecting path information from error responses without requiring authentication or advanced exploitation techniques. The comprehensive list of affected files demonstrates that this is not an isolated issue but a systemic problem within the CMS architecture, affecting multiple modules including content previews, change forms, and administrative interfaces. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities to gather system information for further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation, error handling, and access control measures throughout the CMS. The most effective immediate solution involves configuring the application to suppress detailed error messages and instead display generic error responses that do not reveal system paths or directory structures. Additionally, implementing proper file access controls and validating all user requests against a whitelist of acceptable paths would prevent unauthorized access to sensitive files. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests, while conducting thorough security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web applications. Regular security updates and proper code reviews should be implemented to prevent similar information disclosure issues from occurring in future versions of the software.