CVE-2009-2329 in KerviNet Forum
Summary
by MITRE
KerviNet Forum 1.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to (1) admin/head.php, or (2) voting_diagram.php, (3) voting.php, (4) topics_search.php, (5) topics_list.php, (6) top_part.php, (7) quick_search.php, (8) quick_reply.php, (9) moder_menu.php, (10) messages_list.php, (11) menu.php, (12) head.php, (13) forums_list.php, (14) forum_statistics.php, (15) forum_info.php, or (16) birthday.php in include_files/, which reveals the installation path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
This vulnerability exists in KerviNet Forum version 1.1 and earlier, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. The vulnerability stems from improper error handling mechanisms within the application's include_files directory, where multiple PHP scripts fail to properly validate or sanitize user input before processing requests. When attackers make direct requests to any of the specified files including admin/head.php, voting_diagram.php, voting.php, topics_search.php, topics_list.php, top_part.php, quick_search.php, quick_reply.php, moder_menu.php, messages_list.php, menu.php, head.php, forums_list.php, forum_statistics.php, forum_info.php, or birthday.php, the application generates error messages that inadvertently reveal the full server path where the forum is installed. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through error messages, making it a clear violation of secure coding practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with crucial information needed for subsequent exploitation attempts. The disclosed installation path enables threat actors to understand the server structure and potentially identify other vulnerable components or files within the same directory hierarchy. This information disclosure can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including directory traversal, path traversal, or privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves exploiting information disclosures to gain insights about the target system. Additionally, this weakness can contribute to broader reconnaissance activities that may lead to further compromise of the affected system.
From a security perspective, the vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and error handling practices that are fundamental to secure application development. The affected files are all part of the application's include mechanism, suggesting that the system lacks proper access controls and authentication checks before executing sensitive operations. Attackers can leverage this information disclosure to map the application's file structure and potentially identify other sensitive files or directories that may not be properly protected. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple files within the include_files directory, indicating a systemic issue rather than an isolated problem. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation, proper error handling mechanisms, and access control measures to prevent such information disclosure scenarios. The recommended mitigation strategies include removing or restricting access to these include files, implementing proper authentication checks, and ensuring that error messages do not contain sensitive system information. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding guidelines and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate such exposure risks in web applications.