CVE-2007-3258 in Calendarix
Summary
by MITRE
calendar.php in Calendarix 0.7.20070307 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via large values to the (1) year and (2) month parameters, which causes negative values to be passed to the mktime library call, and reveals the installation path in the error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3258 affects Calendarix version 0.7.20070307, specifically within the calendar.php script. This issue represents a classic case of improper input validation and error handling that exposes system information to remote attackers. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them through internal system calls, creating a pathway for information disclosure attacks.
The technical flaw manifests when attackers submit unusually large values to the year and month parameters within the calendar.php script. These excessive values, when processed through the mktime library function, result in negative numerical inputs that the system cannot properly handle. The mktime function, which converts date and time information into Unix timestamps, becomes unable to process these invalid negative values, causing the system to generate error messages that inadvertently reveal the server's installation path. This represents a path disclosure vulnerability that falls under CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure through error messages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical system information that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks. The revealed installation path exposes the directory structure of the web server, potentially allowing adversaries to map the application's file system layout and identify other potential attack vectors. This information disclosure can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as local file inclusion vulnerabilities or directory traversal exploits, as attackers gain knowledge about the underlying system architecture.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain access to system information. The issue demonstrates how seemingly benign input validation flaws can create significant security risks when combined with poor error handling practices. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-123, which covers the exposure of sensitive information through improper error handling, and CWE-20, which addresses input validation issues that can lead to various security consequences.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters. The application should validate that year and month values fall within reasonable ranges before processing them through the mktime function. Additionally, proper error handling should be implemented to prevent the exposure of system paths in error messages, ensuring that all error conditions are handled gracefully without revealing internal system information. Updates to Calendarix version 0.7.20070307 or the implementation of proper parameter validation should be prioritized to address this vulnerability effectively.