CVE-2007-4141 in OpenRat CMS
Summary
by MITRE
OpenRat CMS 0.8-beta1 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a request containing an XSS sequence in the action parameter to index.php, which reveals the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4141 affects OpenRat CMS versions 0.8-beta1 and earlier, representing a critical information disclosure issue that stems from improper input validation and error handling mechanisms. This vulnerability resides within the core application logic of the content management system where the action parameter in the index.php file fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system's error reporting mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests when an attacker crafts a malicious request containing cross-site scripting payload within the action parameter of the index.php endpoint. When the vulnerable application processes this input without adequate sanitization, it triggers an error condition that inadvertently exposes sensitive system information including the full file path of the application installation. This occurs because the application's error handling routine does not properly escape or filter the malicious input before displaying error messages to the user, thereby creating a path disclosure vulnerability that falls under the CWE-200 category of Information Exposure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information gathering, as the disclosed file paths provide attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can be leveraged for subsequent exploitation attempts. The exposure of absolute file paths enables attackers to understand the application's directory structure, potentially revealing sensitive information about the server environment and application configuration. This information disclosure can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including directory traversal exploits, privilege escalation attempts, and targeted attacks against specific components within the application's architecture. The vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) by providing attackers with systematic access to system path information.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as part of the broader class of input validation flaws that have historically plagued web applications, particularly those with inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data. The weakness demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper input filtering and error handling practices, as even seemingly benign error messages can reveal sensitive system information. Organizations running affected versions of OpenRat CMS should immediately implement patches or upgrades to address this vulnerability, while also reviewing their error handling mechanisms to ensure that sensitive information is not exposed to end users. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the fundamental security principle that applications should never reveal internal system details through error messages, as this information can significantly aid attackers in planning more targeted and effective attacks against the system.