CVE-2009-4943 in AdPeeps
Summary
by MITRE
index.php in AdPeeps 8.5d1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via (1) a view_adrates action with an invalid uid parameter, which reveals the installation path in an error message; or (2) an adminlogin action with a crafted uid parameter, which reveals the version number.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4943 affects AdPeeps version 8.5d1 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability exists within the index.php file and manifests through two distinct attack vectors that collectively undermine the security posture of the affected application. The primary concern stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them within the application's logic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's handling of specific HTTP actions to extract sensitive information from the server environment. When an attacker submits a view_adrates action with an invalid uid parameter, the application generates an error message that inadvertently reveals the complete installation path of the AdPeeps system. This occurs because the application's error handling routine does not properly validate or sanitize the uid parameter before attempting to process it, resulting in an informative error message that exposes the absolute file path. Similarly, when executing an adminlogin action with a crafted uid parameter, the system reveals the version number of the AdPeeps installation through error responses or direct output. This version disclosure provides attackers with critical information about the specific software version, enabling them to identify known vulnerabilities and potential attack vectors specific to that release.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for affected organizations as it provides attackers with foundational information necessary for further exploitation attempts. The disclosed installation path enables attackers to understand the server's directory structure and potentially identify other vulnerable components or misconfigurations within the file system. The version number disclosure allows threat actors to research specific vulnerabilities associated with AdPeeps 8.5d1, including known exploits, patches, and attack patterns that have been documented for this particular release. This information disclosure directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1083, which involves discovering system information through enumeration techniques that reveal system paths and version details.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can leverage the exposed installation path to plan targeted attacks against specific directories or files within the application's structure, potentially leading to directory traversal or path traversal exploits. The version information disclosure enables attackers to bypass security measures that might be in place for newer versions while focusing their efforts on vulnerabilities specific to version 8.5d1. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive input validation, proper error handling, and sanitization mechanisms to prevent such information disclosure scenarios. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices that prevent error messages from revealing sensitive system information and emphasizes the need for robust parameter validation to protect against various attack vectors that can be exploited through malformed input parameters.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling procedures that prevent sensitive information from being exposed through error responses. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied parameters undergo rigorous validation before processing, with appropriate sanitization techniques applied to prevent the injection of malicious content. Error handling mechanisms should be designed to provide generic error messages to users while logging detailed technical information for administrative purposes only. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms can help prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions that might expose version information. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar issues that might exist in other parts of the application or related systems. Security teams should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect unusual access patterns or attempts to exploit information disclosure vulnerabilities, providing early warning capabilities for potential attacks targeting these specific weaknesses.