CVE-2006-6735 in Mini Web Shop
Summary
by MITRE
modules/viewcategory.php in Minh Nguyen Duong Obie Website Mini Web Shop 2.1.c allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a request with an arbitrary catname parameter but no itemsdb parameter, which reveals the path in an error message. NOTE: CVE analysis suggests that this error might be resultant from a more serious issue such as directory traversal.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6735 affects the Obie Website Mini Web Shop version 2.1.c, specifically within the modules/viewcategory.php component. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that exposes system information to remote attackers through improper error handling mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker submits a crafted HTTP request containing an arbitrary catname parameter without including the itemsdb parameter, which triggers an error message containing sensitive path information. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-209, which describes "Generation of Error Message Containing Sensitive Information" and represents a fundamental security flaw in how applications handle and report errors to users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation combined with verbose error reporting. When the application processes the malformed request, it fails to properly validate the catname parameter or handle the absence of the itemsdb parameter gracefully. Instead of returning a generic error or redirecting appropriately, the system generates an error message that inadvertently reveals the full filesystem path where the application is installed. This path disclosure creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks, as attackers can leverage this information to understand the server structure and potentially identify other vulnerabilities. The vulnerability exhibits characteristics consistent with directory traversal attacks, as the error message exposure may provide attackers with the exact directory structure that could be exploited to access restricted files or directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical reconnaissance data that can be used to plan more targeted attacks. The revealed path information can help adversaries understand the web server configuration, file system layout, and potentially identify weak directory permissions or other system misconfigurations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, "File and Directory Discovery," as it provides attackers with detailed information about the file system structure. The exposure of the application path also increases the risk of subsequent attacks such as path traversal or local file inclusion exploits, where attackers can leverage the disclosed paths to access sensitive files or execute arbitrary code. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for attackers to escalate their privileges or gain deeper access to the underlying system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied parameters are validated against expected formats and ranges before processing, as outlined in CWE-20 and CWE-200. The application should be configured to suppress detailed error messages from reaching end users, instead logging these errors internally and displaying generic messages to prevent path disclosure. Implementing proper access controls and input sanitization measures would prevent the catname parameter from being processed without required dependencies. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that error handling no longer exposes system paths while maintaining proper application functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious parameter combinations that might trigger similar vulnerabilities, as this approach provides an additional layer of protection against such attacks.