CVE-2007-0385 in PostNuke
Summary
by MITRE
The faq section in PostNuke 0.764 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information (the full path) via "unvalidated output" in FAQ/index.php, possibly involving an undefined id_cat variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0385 resides within the FAQ section of PostNuke version 0.764, representing a classic example of insecure input validation that enables information disclosure attacks. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign user interface components can become entry points for sophisticated reconnaissance activities when proper input sanitization mechanisms are absent or insufficient. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the FAQ/index.php file where the application fails to properly validate user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into output responses.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of the id_cat variable within the FAQ module's processing logic. When a user requests a specific FAQ category, the application should validate that the provided category identifier corresponds to legitimate, authorized content. However, in this case, the system accepts the id_cat parameter without proper validation, allowing remote attackers to manipulate the parameter value and trigger unintended behavior. The undefined id_cat variable creates a scenario where the application's internal path resolution logic becomes exposed to external input, ultimately revealing the complete server path structure through the error or response handling mechanisms.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a significant information disclosure risk that can be exploited by threat actors to gather intelligence about the target system's architecture. The exposure of the full server path provides attackers with critical information that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks, including directory traversal attempts, privilege escalation exploits, and targeted attacks against specific system components. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to bypass initial reconnaissance phases and immediately gain insights into the application's deployment environment, file structure, and potentially sensitive system configurations.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to perform more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The exposed path information can be used in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to craft targeted attacks against specific file locations or system components. According to ATT&CK framework category T1083, this vulnerability enables adversaries to gather information about the file system, which is essential for planning further exploitation activities. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network exposure is common.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The recommended approach involves validating all user-supplied parameters against a predefined set of acceptable values before processing them within the application. This includes implementing strict type checking, range validation, and ensuring that all parameters are properly sanitized before being used in any output generation or path resolution operations. Additionally, developers should implement proper error handling that does not expose internal system information to end users. The solution should also include the implementation of secure coding practices that prevent the direct incorporation of user input into system calls or path resolution mechanisms. Regular security code reviews and automated vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar patterns that may exist in other parts of the application codebase.