CVE-2007-2253 in Exponent
Summary
by MITRE
Exponent CMS 0.96.6 Alpha and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain path information via a direct request for (1) sdk/blanks/formcontrol.php and (2) sdk/blanks/file_modules.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2253 affects Exponent CMS versions 0.96.6 Alpha and earlier, presenting a significant information disclosure risk that can be exploited by remote attackers. This flaw resides in the content management system's handling of specific file requests within its software development kit directory structure. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers make direct requests to two particular PHP files located in the sdk/blanks/ directory path. These files are formcontrol.php and file_modules.php, which when accessed directly reveal sensitive path information to unauthorized users. The exposure of system paths represents a fundamental security weakness that can provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data for subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access controls and lack of input validation within the Exponent CMS framework. When these specific PHP files are requested directly without proper authentication or authorization checks, the system fails to sanitize the request properly and instead returns detailed path information. This path disclosure occurs because the application does not adequately verify whether the requested resources are intended for public access or should be restricted to authorized administrative users. The flaw operates at the application layer and does not require any special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with network access to the vulnerable system. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper information exposure, and represents a classic example of insufficient access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2253 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed path information can significantly aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks against the affected system. When attackers obtain detailed file paths, they gain insights into the server's directory structure, which can be used to identify potential vulnerabilities in other parts of the application or server configuration. This information disclosure can facilitate further exploitation attempts such as directory traversal attacks, local file inclusion vulnerabilities, or even help attackers craft more targeted phishing campaigns. The exposure of internal paths also violates fundamental security principles of defense in depth, as it provides attackers with knowledge that should remain confidential to protect system integrity and confidentiality. Organizations running vulnerable Exponent CMS installations face increased risk of compromise, as this information can be combined with other reconnaissance data to develop comprehensive attack strategies.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Exponent CMS installations to versions that properly address the access control issues. System administrators should implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to ensure that sensitive files within the sdk/blanks/ directory are not accessible to unauthorized users. The implementation of web application firewalls can help detect and block direct requests to these vulnerable files, while regular security audits should be conducted to identify other potential information disclosure vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should follow the principle of least privilege by restricting access to administrative directories and implementing proper input validation to prevent direct file access attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving reconnaissance and credential access, as the path information disclosure serves as a reconnaissance primitive that can be leveraged for subsequent attack phases. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect suspicious access patterns to sensitive system paths, ensuring that such information disclosure attempts are identified and mitigated promptly.