CVE-2007-6607 in OpenBiblio
Summary
by MITRE
OpenBiblio 0.5.2-pre4 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request for (1) shared/footer.php, (2) circ/mbr_fields.php, or (3) admin/custom_marc_form_fields.php, which reveals the path in various error messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6607 affects OpenBiblio version 0.5.2-pre4 and earlier, representing a sensitive information disclosure flaw that exposes system paths through direct requests to specific PHP files. This issue falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities, which can provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data for subsequent attacks. The affected files include shared/footer.php, circ/mbr_fields.php, and admin/custom_marc_form_fields.php, all of which contain error handling mechanisms that inadvertently reveal the absolute file system paths of the application. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and improper error handling within the application's PHP components, allowing remote attackers to construct direct HTTP requests to these specific files and observe the resulting error messages that contain path information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites and can be executed by any remote attacker with basic network connectivity to the affected system. When an attacker makes a direct request to any of the three vulnerable files, the application's error handling mechanism triggers and outputs error messages that include the absolute file system paths. These paths typically contain directory structures that reveal the installation location of the OpenBiblio application, potentially including server root directories and database connection details. The exposure of such information creates a significant risk for attackers as it provides them with precise knowledge of the system's file structure, which can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts such as path traversal attacks or targeted attacks against specific system components. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and does not require authentication or specialized tools, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone who can access the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical system reconnaissance data that can facilitate more sophisticated attacks. The leaked paths may contain information about database configurations, server directory structures, and potentially even version-specific details that could be used to identify other vulnerabilities within the system. This information disclosure creates opportunities for attackers to craft more targeted attacks, such as directory traversal attempts or exploitation of other vulnerabilities that may exist in the same system. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by exposing sensitive system information that should remain hidden from unauthorized users. Additionally, the presence of such information disclosure vulnerabilities can indicate broader security weaknesses in the application's architecture, potentially exposing other sensitive data through similar flaws.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6607 should focus on implementing proper error handling and input validation mechanisms within the OpenBiblio application. The most effective approach involves modifying the vulnerable PHP files to ensure that error messages do not contain system path information, instead displaying generic error messages to users while logging detailed errors to secure system logs. This approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the use of information discovery techniques, by preventing the exposure of system information that could be used for further attacks. Organizations should also implement proper access controls to prevent direct access to internal application files and ensure that error handling is configured to suppress path information in production environments. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and the application should be updated to a patched version that addresses this specific information disclosure issue. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for and block direct requests to vulnerable files, providing an additional layer of protection against such attacks.