CVE-2007-3127 in WebSphere Portal
Summary
by MITRE
content.php in WSPortal 1.0, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a " ;" (quote semicolon) sequence in the page parameter, which reveals the installation path in the resulting forced SQL error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3127 affects WSPortal 1.0, a web-based content management system that suffers from a critical information disclosure flaw when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled. This vulnerability represents a classic example of improper input validation and error handling that exposes sensitive system information to remote attackers. The flaw specifically manifests in the content.php script where user input is not properly sanitized before being processed in SQL queries. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing the sequence " ;" (quote semicolon) in the page parameter, the application fails to properly escape or validate this input, leading to a situation where SQL injection occurs and subsequent error messages reveal the absolute installation path of the web application on the server filesystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the absence of proper input sanitization mechanisms that would normally be provided by PHP's magic_quotes_gpc setting. When this setting is disabled, PHP does not automatically escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data, leaving the application susceptible to injection attacks. The semicolon character in particular serves as a SQL statement delimiter that can be used to manipulate query execution flow, while the quote character allows the attacker to break out of string contexts in the SQL query. This combination creates a scenario where the application's error handling mechanism, rather than protecting system integrity, becomes a vector for information disclosure. The resulting SQL error message contains the complete file path where the application is installed, which provides attackers with crucial information for planning further attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed installation path can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can use this path information to understand the server's directory structure, potentially identifying other sensitive files or directories that might be accessible through the web server. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to map the application's file system hierarchy, which can be used to locate configuration files containing database credentials, backup files, or other sensitive data. This information disclosure represents a significant risk to system security as it reduces the attack surface and provides attackers with precise targeting capabilities. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security practices in error handling where application developers failed to implement proper error suppression or sanitization of error messages that could leak sensitive system information.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper error handling that leads to information disclosure, and also relates to CWE-94, which covers the execution of arbitrary code through code injection. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a reconnaissance technique where attackers gather information about the target system to plan subsequent attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation also connects to ATT&CK technique T1083, which involves discovering system information, and T1068, which covers privilege escalation through exploitation of system vulnerabilities. The weakness in this case stems from inadequate input validation and error handling practices that are fundamental to secure coding standards. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization, disable error message display in production environments, and ensure that all user-supplied input is properly escaped before being used in database queries. Additionally, the use of prepared statements or parameterized queries would effectively prevent this type of SQL injection vulnerability from occurring, as these mechanisms separate SQL code from data, eliminating the possibility of query manipulation through malicious input sequences.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of several security measures including enabling magic_quotes_gpc or implementing proper input sanitization mechanisms, disabling error message display in production environments, and adopting parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database interactions. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect unusual patterns of information disclosure attempts. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on input validation and error handling practices are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into web applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper error handling and input validation in preventing information disclosure attacks that can significantly compromise system security and provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data for more advanced exploitation techniques.