CVE-2007-3529 in PHPDirector
Summary
by MITRE
videos.php in PHPDirector 0.21 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an empty value of the id[] parameter, which reveals the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3529 affects PHPDirector version 0.21 and earlier, representing a sensitive information disclosure issue that exposes system paths through improper error handling. This flaw exists in the videos.php script where the application fails to validate input parameters properly, specifically when processing the id[] parameter. When an empty value is submitted for this parameter, the application generates an error message that inadvertently reveals the server path structure, creating a significant information disclosure risk.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and error handling practices within the PHPDirector application. The id[] parameter is expected to contain valid identifiers for video content, but when it receives an empty value, the script does not properly validate or sanitize this input before processing. This leads to an unhandled exception or error condition that manifests in error messages containing absolute or relative file paths, directory structures, and potentially sensitive system information. The vulnerability operates under CWE-200, which specifically addresses improper error handling and information exposure, making it a classic example of how poor input validation can lead to unintended information disclosure.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to system security as it provides attackers with detailed knowledge of the server's file structure and directory layout. The disclosed paths can be leveraged by threat actors to plan more sophisticated attacks, including directory traversal attempts, file inclusion exploits, or other privilege escalation techniques. The information exposure occurs at the application level and can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which focuses on exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities to gain additional intelligence about the target system.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more advanced attacks that could compromise the entire web application and underlying system. Attackers can use the revealed paths to map the application's directory structure, identify potential weak points in the file system, and craft targeted attacks against specific files or directories. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the system, as it provides unauthorized access to system information that should remain protected. Organizations running affected versions of PHPDirector should prioritize immediate remediation through patch updates, input validation improvements, and error handling enhancements to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation for all user-supplied parameters, including the id[] parameter in this case. The application should validate that the id[] parameter contains expected data types and values before processing, returning generic error messages instead of detailed system information. Additionally, error handling should be implemented to prevent the disclosure of system paths in error messages, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms to detect and block suspicious parameter values that could trigger similar vulnerabilities in other applications.