CVE-2007-5444 in CMS Made Simple
Summary
by MITRE
CMS Made Simple 1.1.3.1 allows remote attackers to obtain the full path via a direct request for unspecified files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5444 affects CMS Made Simple version 1.1.3.1, a content management system that was widely used for website development and administration. This particular flaw represents a path disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the system fails to properly sanitize file requests, allowing remote attackers to gain unauthorized knowledge of the server's file system structure. The vulnerability stems from the application's inadequate handling of direct requests for unspecified files, which can reveal sensitive path information to unauthenticated users. This type of information disclosure represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with crucial system architecture details that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the CMS Made Simple application's file handling mechanism not properly validating or sanitizing input parameters when processing requests for files. When attackers make direct requests to unspecified files within the application, the system inadvertently returns the full server path information in error messages or response headers. This occurs because the application does not implement proper input validation or error handling procedures that would prevent the exposure of system paths. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically affects how the system responds to malformed or unauthorized file access attempts, creating an information leakage condition that can be exploited by remote adversaries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly weakens the security posture of affected systems by providing attackers with detailed knowledge of the server's file structure. The disclosed path information can include complete directory paths, file locations, and potentially sensitive system configurations that would otherwise remain hidden from unauthorized users. This information disclosure enables attackers to craft more sophisticated attacks by understanding the application's directory structure, file permissions, and potentially identifying other vulnerabilities within the system. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles by exposing system internals through error responses, which can be categorized under CWE-209, which addresses "Information Exposure Through an Error Message." The exposure of such information can facilitate further exploitation attempts and provides attackers with a roadmap for targeting specific system components.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the CMS Made Simple application. System administrators should immediately upgrade to a patched version of CMS Made Simple that addresses this path disclosure issue, as version 1.1.3.1 is outdated and no longer supported. Additionally, implementing proper error handling that does not reveal system paths in error messages, configuring appropriate file permissions, and using security headers can help prevent similar information disclosure scenarios. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious file access patterns, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their web applications. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local system permissions and information gathering, and addresses the broader category of information exposure vulnerabilities that can lead to more severe security incidents. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper error handling and input validation in web applications, as it represents a fundamental security flaw that can be exploited to gain intelligence about the underlying system architecture.