CVE-2007-1236 in sitex
Summary
by MITRE
sitex allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a request with a numerical value for the (1) sxMonth[] or (2) sxYear[] parameter to calendar.php, or the (3) page[] parameter to calendar_events.php, which reveals the path in various error messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1236 affects the sitex web application, specifically targeting its calendar functionality. This issue represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the application fails to properly validate user input parameters. The flaw manifests in two distinct endpoints within the calendar module where numerical parameters are accepted without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that include numerical values for sxMonth[], sxYear[], or page[] parameters, which then trigger error messages containing sensitive system path information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's insufficient input validation processes and error handling mechanisms. When the calendar.php script receives numerical values for sxMonth[] or sxYear[] parameters, or when calendar_events.php processes page[] parameters, the system does not properly validate these inputs before processing them. This lack of validation allows malicious users to inject crafted numerical values that cause the application to generate error messages containing the full server path. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates poor secure coding practices, particularly in input sanitization and error message generation. According to CWE-20, this maps directly to improper input validation, while the information disclosure aspect aligns with CWE-200 which covers improper information exposure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked path information can provide attackers with critical system details that facilitate further exploitation. The revealed paths may contain directory structures, file locations, and potentially sensitive configuration information that could be used in subsequent attacks. This vulnerability enables attackers to gain insights into the application's file system organization, which could aid in identifying other potential attack vectors or weaknesses within the system architecture. The exposure of system paths creates opportunities for directory traversal attacks, file inclusion vulnerabilities, and other advanced exploitation techniques. From an attacker perspective, this information can significantly reduce the time and effort required to plan more sophisticated attacks against the vulnerable system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1236 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and error handling mechanisms throughout the affected application. The primary solution involves implementing strict parameter validation for all numerical inputs, ensuring that only expected ranges and formats are accepted. This includes implementing proper type checking, range validation, and sanitization routines for the sxMonth[], sxYear[], and page[] parameters. Additionally, error handling must be redesigned to prevent sensitive path information from being exposed in error messages to end users. The application should implement generic error messages that do not reveal internal system details while maintaining detailed logging for administrative purposes. Security controls should also include input filtering mechanisms that reject or sanitize any non-conforming numerical values before processing. Organizations should follow ATT&CK technique T1211 which focuses on exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities, and implement defensive measures such as web application firewalls and input validation rules to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.