CVE-2008-6759 in Shop
Summary
by MITRE
ViArt Shop (aka Shopping Cart) 3.5 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a URL in the POST_DATA parameter to manuals_search.php, which reveals the installation path in an error message.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2018
CVE-2008-6759 represents a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability affecting ViArt Shop version 3.5, a web-based shopping cart application. This flaw resides in the manuals_search.php script where the application fails to properly sanitize or validate input received through the POST_DATA parameter. When malicious actors submit crafted URLs containing specific parameters within the POST_DATA field, the application generates error messages that inadvertently expose the server's installation path. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure as defined by CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and error handling mechanisms that are fundamental to secure application development practices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious POST request to the manuals_search.php endpoint with specially formatted data in the POST_DATA parameter. The application processes this input without adequate sanitization, leading to the generation of detailed error messages that contain the absolute file path where the application is installed on the server. This exposure of installation paths provides attackers with crucial system information that can be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) as it enables adversaries to gather information about the target system's file structure and deployment environment. The disclosed path information can reveal the underlying operating system, web server configuration, and application architecture details that would otherwise remain hidden from external observers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers who obtain the installation path can use this information to plan targeted attacks against specific application components, identify potential weaknesses in the file system permissions, or craft more effective exploitation strategies. The exposure of the installation path may also reveal the version of the application in use, which could help attackers identify known vulnerabilities specific to that version. This information disclosure creates opportunities for attackers to bypass security controls, perform directory traversal attacks, or exploit other vulnerabilities that might be present in the application's codebase. The vulnerability affects the principle of least privilege and can undermine the security posture of the entire web application infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6759 should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling procedures throughout the application code. Developers should ensure that all user-supplied input is properly sanitized and validated before processing, with error messages that do not contain sensitive system information. The application should be configured to suppress detailed error messages in production environments and instead display generic error messages to users while logging detailed information securely for administrative purposes. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the CWE guidelines for preventing information disclosure vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar issues in other applications, ensuring that error handling mechanisms are robust and do not inadvertently expose system information that could be exploited by malicious actors.