CVE-2006-6817 in Webhost Directory
Summary
by MITRE
AlstraSoft Web Host Directory allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by requesting any invalid URI, which reveals the path in an error message, a different vulnerability than CVE-2006-2617.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-6817 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the AlstraSoft Web Host Directory application that exposes system paths through error messages generated by invalid URI requests. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of information exposure through error handling mechanisms, which falls under CWE-209 - Information Exposure Through an Error Message and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 - Exploitation for Credential Access. The flaw specifically manifests when the web application processes requests for non-existent or invalid URIs, causing the system to return detailed error messages that include the absolute file system path where the application is installed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's inadequate error handling procedures, where the system fails to sanitize or obscure path information within error responses. When an attacker submits a malformed or non-existent URI to the web server, the application generates an error response that inadvertently includes the complete server path structure in the error message output. This occurs because the web host directory application does not properly implement secure error handling practices that would prevent sensitive system information from being exposed to remote attackers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it provides attackers with precise knowledge of the server's file structure, which can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including directory traversal, privilege escalation, and further system reconnaissance.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly increases the attack surface for malicious actors who can leverage the exposed path information to map the server's directory structure and identify potential targets for exploitation. The disclosed paths may reveal the location of sensitive files, configuration data, or application source code that could be used to craft targeted attacks against the system. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in error message generation and response handling, which violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards. Attackers can use this information to plan more effective attacks, including exploiting other vulnerabilities that might exist within the same directory structure or identifying weak points in the application's security architecture.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability involve implementing proper error handling mechanisms that sanitize all error responses and remove any system-specific path information from user-facing error messages. Organizations should ensure that all web applications implement generic error messages that do not reveal internal system details such as file paths, server names, or configuration information. Security measures should include configuring the web server to return standardized error pages that do not contain sensitive information and implementing input validation that prevents invalid URI requests from triggering detailed error responses. Additionally, regular security testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar information disclosure vulnerabilities. The implementation of proper logging mechanisms can also help detect and respond to exploitation attempts while maintaining system integrity through adherence to security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards for secure application development and deployment practices.