CVE-2007-1102 in PhotoStand
Summary
by MITRE
Photostand 1.2.0 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a (quote) character in (1) a PHPSESSID cookie or (2) the id parameter in an article action in index.php, which reveal the path in various error messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1102 affects Photostand version 1.2.0, a web-based photo sharing application that exposes sensitive system information through improper error handling mechanisms. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain insights into the underlying system architecture and file paths. The vulnerability manifests when specific characters are injected into either the PHPSESSID cookie or the id parameter within the index.php file during article actions, leading to the exposure of critical path information in error messages.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the application's insufficient input validation and error handling procedures. When attackers inject quote characters into the targeted parameters, the application fails to properly sanitize these inputs before processing them, resulting in error conditions that inadvertently reveal the absolute file paths of the web server. This behavior aligns with CWE-209, which describes improper handling of exceptions that lead to information exposure, and represents a form of path disclosure vulnerability that has been commonly exploited in web applications. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) as it enables adversaries to map the file system structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked path information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can use the exposed file paths to craft targeted attacks against specific files, understand the application's directory structure, or identify potential weak points in the system's security architecture. This information disclosure can be particularly damaging when combined with other vulnerabilities, as it provides attackers with precise knowledge of where critical files are located on the server. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized parties to access system information that should remain private and protected.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and proper error handling mechanisms. The application should sanitize all user inputs, particularly those used in cookie values and URL parameters, to prevent injection of special characters that could trigger error conditions. Implementing custom error pages that do not reveal system information is crucial, as is ensuring that error messages are logged securely without exposing sensitive path details. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that prevent the direct inclusion of user-supplied data in error messages or system calls. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious input patterns, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation efforts should align with security standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure coding practices to prevent similar information disclosure scenarios from occurring in the future.