CVE-2007-6476 in Gf 3xplorer
Summary
by MITRE
GF-3XPLORER 2.4 allows remote attackers to obtain configuration information via a direct request to explorer/phpinfo.php, which calls the phpinfo function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6476 affects GF-3XPLORER version 2.4, a web-based file management tool that provides remote access to system resources through a graphical interface. This particular flaw represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive system configuration details to unauthorized remote attackers. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper access control mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to directly request specific PHP files without authentication or authorization checks. The affected component phpinfo.php contains a call to the phpinfo function, which generates detailed information about the PHP environment including system configuration, loaded modules, environment variables, and potentially sensitive server details. This exposure creates a significant security risk as the information disclosed can be leveraged by attackers to plan more sophisticated attacks against the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a simple direct request mechanism that bypasses normal application authentication flows. When an attacker accesses the explorer/phpinfo.php endpoint, the application executes the phpinfo function without any access controls or user verification steps. This function outputs comprehensive information about the PHP runtime environment, including server software versions, PHP configuration settings, loaded extensions, environment variables, and potentially database connection details. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a classic example of insufficient access control where sensitive data is exposed through improper privilege management. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability can be exploited with minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no complex exploitation techniques or specialized tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed configuration details can significantly aid attackers in conducting targeted attacks against the affected system. The phpinfo output may reveal database connection strings, file paths, server configuration parameters, and other sensitive information that could be used for privilege escalation, lateral movement, or more advanced exploitation techniques. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers "File and Directory Discovery" and can be leveraged to gather intelligence for subsequent attack phases. The exposure of system configuration details enables attackers to understand the target environment's capabilities and limitations, potentially revealing the presence of other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations that could be exploited. Organizations running affected versions of GF-3XPLORER face a heightened risk of compromise, as this vulnerability provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be used to craft more effective attacks against the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate access control implementation and configuration hardening. The primary recommendation involves removing or securing access to the phpinfo.php file through proper authentication mechanisms or complete removal from production environments. Network-level controls such as firewall rules can be implemented to restrict access to sensitive endpoints, while web application firewalls should be configured to block requests to known vulnerable paths. The application should be updated to a patched version that addresses the improper access control issue, and all unnecessary administrative or debugging files should be removed from production deployments. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web applications, as this flaw demonstrates poor security practices in access control implementation. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect similar issues in other applications and systems, ensuring that sensitive information disclosure vulnerabilities are identified and remediated promptly to prevent exploitation by threat actors.