CVE-2008-6981 in phpAdultSite
Summary
by MITRE
index.php in phpAdultSite CMS, possibly 2.3.2, allows remote attackers to obtain the full installation path via an invalid results_per_page parameter, which leaks the path in an error message. NOTE: this issue might be resultant from a separate SQL injection vulnerability.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6981 affects the phpAdultSite content management system version 2.3.2 and potentially other iterations. This security flaw resides within the index.php file and represents a path disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the application processes an invalid results_per_page parameter. The vulnerability manifests when remote attackers submit malformed input to the results_per_page parameter, causing the system to generate an error message that inadvertently reveals the complete server installation path. This type of information disclosure represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with critical system information that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper input validation and error handling within the phpAdultSite application. When the system encounters an invalid results_per_page parameter, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing it, resulting in an error condition that outputs the full file path to the error message. This behavior aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses error messages containing sensitive information, and represents a classic example of how improper error handling can lead to information disclosure. The vulnerability's classification as a path disclosure issue means that attackers can obtain complete directory paths, which can be used to understand the application's structure and potentially identify other attack vectors.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly weakens the security posture of systems running affected phpAdultSite installations. The leaked installation path provides attackers with precise information about the server's file system structure, which can be used to plan more sophisticated attacks including directory traversal attempts or exploitation of other vulnerabilities that might exist within the same directory structure. The vulnerability's potential relationship to SQL injection suggests that this path disclosure might serve as an initial foothold for more severe attacks, as attackers can use the disclosed paths to better understand the application's architecture and potentially exploit other vulnerabilities in the system. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous because it can enable attackers to map out the entire application environment and identify potential secondary attack surfaces.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and secure error handling practices. System administrators should immediately update to patched versions of phpAdultSite if available, as this vulnerability represents a clear security risk that should not be ignored. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, including results_per_page, can prevent the vulnerability from being exploited. The application should be configured to suppress detailed error messages that contain system information, instead displaying generic error messages to users while logging detailed errors securely for administrative review. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and follows industry best practices for error handling as recommended by various cybersecurity frameworks and standards including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms to prevent malformed parameters from reaching the vulnerable application components, thereby reducing the attack surface and preventing exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.