CVE-2008-7146 in IntraLearn
Summary
by MITRE
IntraLearn Software IntraLearn 2.1, and possibly other versions before 4.2.3, allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to (1) Knowledge_Impact_Course.htm, (2) LRN-formatted_Course.htm, or (3) Create_Course.htm in help/1/Instructor/, which reveals the installation path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-7146 affects IntraLearn Software version 2.1 and potentially earlier versions up to 4.2.2, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability resides within the help/1/Instructor/ directory of the application, specifically targeting three distinct HTML files that handle course-related functionality. The flaw manifests when attackers make direct requests to Knowledge_Impact_Course.htm, LRN-formatted_Course.htm, or Create_Course.htm, causing the application to reveal its installation path through error messages that are inadvertently exposed to external parties. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how improper error handling can lead to sensitive data leakage that provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance information about the target system infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's inadequate error handling mechanisms within its help documentation components. When these specific HTML files are accessed directly without proper authentication or validation, the system fails to sanitize its error responses, resulting in the exposure of the complete installation path. This type of information disclosure represents a fundamental security weakness in the application's defensive posture, as it provides attackers with precise knowledge of the system's file structure and deployment environment. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any remote attacker with basic network access to the affected system. The exposure of installation paths creates opportunities for subsequent attacks that may involve path traversal, directory listing, or other exploitation techniques that rely on knowledge of the underlying filesystem structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly weakens the overall security posture of systems running affected IntraLearn software versions. Attackers who obtain the installation path can use this information to plan more sophisticated attacks, including potential exploitation of other vulnerabilities that may exist in the same system or application components. The exposure of system paths can also facilitate social engineering attacks, as attackers can craft more convincing phishing or impersonation attempts by leveraging the disclosed information. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a crucial foothold for further reconnaissance and attack progression, potentially enabling privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network environment. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and error handling practices in web applications, as the lack of these controls can expose critical system information that should remain confidential.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability involve immediate implementation of proper input validation and error handling procedures within the affected application components. System administrators should upgrade to IntraLearn Software version 4.2.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this information disclosure flaw. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms for help documentation components can prevent unauthorized access to these vulnerable files. The application should be configured to suppress detailed error messages in production environments, ensuring that installation paths and other sensitive system information are not exposed to external users. Network segmentation and firewall rules can also be implemented to restrict access to these specific help directories, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the need for regular security assessments to identify and remediate information disclosure vulnerabilities that can compromise system security.