CVE-2008-7101 in DotNetNuke
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in DotNetNuke 4.0 through 4.8.4 and 5.0 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information (portal number) by accessing the install wizard page via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7101 affects DotNetNuke content management systems versions 4.0 through 4.8.4 and version 5.0, representing a significant information disclosure flaw that could compromise system security. This vulnerability resides within the installation wizard component of the platform, which is designed to guide users through the initial setup process but inadvertently exposes sensitive portal identification information to unauthorized remote actors. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests multiple potential pathways through which an attacker could exploit this weakness, making the vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective. The exposure of portal numbers represents a critical information leak that could facilitate further attacks by providing attackers with specific identifiers for target systems. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure as defined by common weakness enumeration standards, specifically aligning with CWE-200 which addresses information exposure through improper error handling or excessive information disclosure. The attack surface is particularly broad given that the installation wizard page is accessible via standard web protocols, meaning that any remote attacker with basic network connectivity could potentially exploit this weakness without requiring specialized tools or privileged access. From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations deploying DotNetNuke systems, as the exposure of portal identification numbers could enable attackers to target specific installations more effectively and potentially correlate this information with other public data to build comprehensive attack profiles. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure since portal numbers often serve as unique identifiers that can be used to track system configurations, facilitate targeted phishing attacks, or support other forms of reconnaissance activities that could lead to more severe compromises. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of the software indicates a persistent flaw in the platform's security architecture that was not adequately addressed during the development lifecycle. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning from an attacker's perspective as it aligns with tactics described in the attack pattern taxonomy where adversaries seek to gather system intelligence before launching more sophisticated attacks. The exposure of portal numbers could potentially enable attackers to perform targeted attacks against specific organizations by using the identified portal information to craft more convincing social engineering attempts or to focus their efforts on particular system configurations that might have additional vulnerabilities.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the software's access control mechanisms and information hiding practices during the installation phase. Attackers could leverage this information disclosure to conduct reconnaissance activities that would normally require more advanced techniques or privileged access to gather. The fact that this vulnerability exists in both major version branches 4.x and 5.0 indicates that the underlying flaw was not properly addressed in security updates, suggesting a gap in the software's security review processes. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without requiring authentication or specialized attack tools, making it accessible to threat actors with minimal technical expertise. The exposure of portal numbers could enable attackers to map out entire networks of DotNetNuke installations, potentially leading to coordinated attacks against multiple systems within an organization or industry sector. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability could result in violations of security standards such as those outlined in the iso/iec 27001 framework, which requires organizations to maintain adequate security controls to protect against information disclosure. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions also indicates that organizations may have been exposed to this risk for extended periods without proper detection or remediation. The information disclosure aspect of this vulnerability is particularly concerning because portal numbers often correlate with system configurations, user bases, or other sensitive operational data that could be exploited to conduct more sophisticated attacks. Organizations that were not actively monitoring for this vulnerability or had not implemented proper security controls may have unknowingly exposed their systems to potential compromise through this information disclosure flaw. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability align with the techniques described in the mitre attack framework where adversaries use reconnaissance to gather information about target systems before executing more advanced attack phases. This type of vulnerability represents a critical failure in the principle of least privilege, as the installation wizard should not be exposing sensitive system identifiers to anonymous remote users. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it occurs during the installation process, which is typically a time when systems are being configured and may not yet have full security controls in place. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader security assessment that includes network reconnaissance, system enumeration, and information gathering activities that could be leveraged to compromise other aspects of their security infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of access controls to restrict access to installation wizard pages, particularly in production environments where such pages should not be accessible to unauthorized users. Organizations should implement network segmentation and firewall rules to prevent remote access to installation components, ensuring that these pages are only accessible from trusted internal networks or through secure remote access mechanisms. The most effective immediate solution involves disabling or removing installation wizard pages from production systems, as these components are typically only required during initial setup and should not remain accessible in operational environments. Security configuration reviews should include verification that installation and setup components are properly secured or removed from production deployments to prevent unauthorized access. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging controls to detect unauthorized access attempts to installation wizard pages, as these access patterns could indicate potential compromise attempts. Regular security assessments should include verification that all installation and setup components are properly secured, with particular attention to ensuring that sensitive information is not exposed through web interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices during software deployment, including the principle of least privilege and the removal of unnecessary services or components from production systems. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls or security controls that can detect and prevent access to known vulnerable paths or components within the DotNetNuke platform. Regular patch management processes should be enhanced to ensure that security vulnerabilities are addressed promptly, particularly those that expose sensitive information to remote attackers. The remediation approach should include comprehensive testing to ensure that access controls are properly implemented and that the vulnerability has been effectively mitigated without disrupting legitimate administrative functions. Security awareness training for system administrators should emphasize the importance of securing installation components and understanding the risks associated with exposing system identifiers through web interfaces. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that information disclosure flaws can have cascading effects on overall system security and that organizations must maintain vigilance in protecting all aspects of their software infrastructure from unauthorized access.