CVE-2007-0689 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
MyBB 1.2.4 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via the (1) action[] parameter to member.php, (2) imagehash[] parameter to captcha.php, and (3) a direct request to inc/datahandlers/event.php, which reveal the installation path in the resulting error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0689 affects MyBB version 1.2.4 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability manifests through three distinct attack vectors that collectively demonstrate poor error handling practices within the forum software's architecture. The primary issue occurs when attackers manipulate specific parameters in HTTP requests to reveal the server's file system paths through error messages generated by the application.
The first attack vector involves the action[] parameter in member.php, where improper input validation allows attackers to trigger error conditions that disclose the absolute path of the MyBB installation. The second vector targets the imagehash[] parameter in captcha.php, where similar validation gaps enable path revelation through error responses. The third and most concerning vector occurs when attackers make direct requests to inc/datahandlers/event.php, which produces error messages containing installation paths without proper sanitization. These error messages provide attackers with crucial system information that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which defines information exposure through error messages, and demonstrates the classic pattern of insufficient input validation combined with verbose error reporting. The exposed paths can reveal critical information about the server's file structure, including directory names, file locations, and potentially sensitive configuration details. Attackers can use this information to plan more sophisticated attacks, such as path traversal exploits, local file inclusion vulnerabilities, or to identify other system components that may have additional weaknesses. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovery of file and directory permissions, as the disclosed paths can reveal system structure and potentially sensitive file locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the foundational knowledge necessary for advanced exploitation techniques. Once the installation path is known, attackers can more effectively target other vulnerabilities within the same system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects any MyBB installation running version 1.2.4, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of this forum software during that time period. Organizations using vulnerable versions should immediately implement mitigations to prevent unauthorized access to system information.
The recommended mitigations include implementing proper input validation for all parameters, disabling verbose error messages in production environments, and ensuring that error handling routines do not expose system paths or file locations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter suspicious parameter values and conduct regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The fix involves updating to a patched version of MyBB that properly sanitizes inputs and handles errors without revealing sensitive system information. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual parameter patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.