CVE-2006-7062 in kmail
Summary
by MITRE
calendar.php in Kamgaing Email System (kmail) 2.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain the full path of the server via an invalid d parameter, which leaks the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-7062 affects the Kamgaing Email System version 2.3 and earlier, specifically within the calendar.php script. This represents a classic path disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the application fails to properly validate user input parameters. The flaw manifests when an attacker submits an invalid d parameter to the calendar.php endpoint, causing the system to generate an error message that inadvertently reveals the complete server file path. Such information disclosure vulnerabilities are particularly concerning as they provide attackers with critical system information that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which describes "Information Exposure Through an Error Message" and is categorized under the broader CWE-200 category for Information Exposure. This flaw represents a fundamental lack of proper error handling and input validation within the kmail application. When the d parameter fails validation, the system does not implement sanitized error handling that would prevent path information from being exposed to unauthorized users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be discovered and exploited by anyone with access to the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with precise knowledge of the server's file structure and directory layout. This information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including directory traversal attempts, local file inclusion exploits, or targeted attacks against specific system components. The exposure of the full path can reveal the exact location where the application is installed, potentially exposing version-specific paths that may correspond to known vulnerabilities in the underlying operating system or web server components. Additionally, this information can aid attackers in crafting more effective payloads for privilege escalation or system compromise attempts.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers "File and Directory Discovery" as part of the reconnaissance phase of an attack. The exposure of server paths through error messages removes the need for attackers to perform extensive reconnaissance to understand the target environment. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms that prevent any sensitive information from being leaked to end users. Organizations should ensure that all error messages are generic and do not contain system-specific information such as file paths, directory structures, or internal system details. The recommended approach includes implementing centralized error handling routines that log detailed errors internally while presenting users with generic error messages that do not reveal system architecture information. Regular security testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar path disclosure vulnerabilities in other application components, as this represents a common pattern in legacy web applications that may contain additional similar flaws.