CVE-2009-1773 in activeCollab
Summary
by MITRE
activeCollab 2.1 Corporate allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an invalid re_route parameter to the login script, which reveals the installation path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1773 affects activeCollab version 2.1 Corporate and represents a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes an invalid re_route parameter within the login script, creating an opportunity for threat actors to extract the server installation path through error message responses. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper input validation and error handling within the authentication mechanism, allowing attackers to gain knowledge about the underlying system architecture that could prove valuable for subsequent attack phases.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter validation within the login process. When an attacker submits a malformed re_route parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing it, resulting in the generation of an error message that inadvertently reveals the complete file system path where activeCollab is installed. This type of information disclosure represents a CWE-200 vulnerability category, specifically related to exposure of sensitive information through error messages. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with crucial system information without requiring prior access credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed installation path can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can leverage this knowledge to plan targeted exploitation strategies, including directory traversal attacks, path-based privilege escalation attempts, or to craft more convincing social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) as it provides attackers with systematic access to directory structures. Additionally, this flaw can contribute to broader reconnaissance efforts by enabling threat actors to understand the server environment, file permissions, and potentially identify other vulnerable components within the same installation.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability effectively. The primary remediation involves proper input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in authentication flows. Application developers should ensure that error messages do not contain sensitive system information and that all parameters are validated against expected formats before processing. The implementation of generic error handling routines that suppress detailed path information in error responses represents a crucial defensive measure. Additionally, access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of sensitive directories and files, while regular security audits should verify that error handling mechanisms properly sanitize all user inputs. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper error handling in preventing information disclosure attacks that can significantly compromise system security posture.