CVE-2006-6461 in Stylish Text Ads Script
Summary
by MITRE
tr1.php in Yourfreeworld Stylish Text Ads Script allows remote attackers to obtain the installation path via an invalid id parameter, which leaks the path in an error message. NOTE: this issue might be resultant from CVE-2006-2508.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-6461 affects the Yourfreeworld Stylish Text Ads Script version tr1.php, representing a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This issue manifests when the script processes an invalid id parameter, causing it to generate an error message that inadvertently reveals the server installation path. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper input validation and error handling within the application's codebase, allowing malicious actors to gather reconnaissance information that could facilitate subsequent attacks. The disclosure of installation paths represents a critical security risk as it provides attackers with precise knowledge of the target system's file structure and deployment configuration.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates through improper error message handling mechanisms that fail to sanitize or suppress sensitive information during error conditions. When an invalid id parameter is submitted to tr1.php, the script does not implement adequate validation checks to prevent the execution path from reaching error generation routines. Instead, the application proceeds to generate an error message that includes the full file path where the script is installed, effectively leaking the absolute path information to any remote user who can access the vulnerable endpoint. This behavior aligns with common security misconfigurations where applications fail to implement proper error handling practices that should mask system-specific details from external users. The vulnerability's classification as an information disclosure issue connects it to established weakness categories such as CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through error messages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple path disclosure, as it provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. Knowledge of the installation path enables attackers to craft targeted exploitation strategies, potentially identifying specific file locations that may contain sensitive configuration data, database connection strings, or other system credentials. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to the overall security posture of systems running the affected script, as it provides attackers with a clear indication of the system's deployment environment and file structure. This information can be particularly valuable when combined with other reconnaissance data, enabling attackers to plan more effective exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's potential relationship to CVE-2006-2508 suggests that this may be part of a broader class of issues affecting the same software family, indicating possible systemic problems in the application's security design and implementation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling practices that prevent sensitive information disclosure. The most effective approach involves modifying the tr1.php script to validate all incoming parameters before processing them, ensuring that invalid inputs are handled gracefully without generating error messages that reveal system information. Security measures should include implementing generic error messages that do not contain path information or other system-specific details, while also ensuring that all error handling routines are configured to suppress internal system paths from user-facing outputs. Organizations should also consider implementing proper logging mechanisms that can detect and alert on suspicious parameter submissions, while maintaining comprehensive monitoring of application error patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks that emphasize the protection of sensitive information through proper error handling and input validation mechanisms. The issue demonstrates how seemingly minor coding oversights can create significant security vulnerabilities that expose critical system information to unauthorized parties.