CVE-2010-0667 in MoinMoin
Summary
by MITRE
MoinMoin 1.9 before 1.9.1 does not perform the expected clearing of the sys.argv array in situations where the GATEWAY_INTERFACE environment variable is set, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0667 affects MoinMoin version 1.9 prior to 1.9.1 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from improper handling of the sys.argv array during web application execution. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the GATEWAY_INTERFACE environment variable is present, creating a condition where sensitive system information can be exposed to remote attackers through unspecified attack vectors. The flaw resides in the application's initialization process where the expected sanitization of command-line arguments fails to occur properly, leaving potentially sensitive data accessible through the web interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the interaction between the Python runtime environment and the web server gateway interface. When MoinMoin processes requests through a web server, it relies on the GATEWAY_INTERFACE environment variable to determine the execution context. However, the application fails to properly clear or sanitize the sys.argv array which contains command-line arguments that may have been passed to the script during its initialization. This oversight creates a pathway for attackers to potentially extract information from the command-line arguments that could include system paths, configuration parameters, or other sensitive metadata that should not be exposed through the web interface.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to systems running affected versions of MoinMoin since it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to potentially sensitive information that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability could be leveraged through various attack methods including but not limited to direct web requests, parameter manipulation, or through other application interfaces that might expose the underlying system information. This type of information disclosure can provide attackers with valuable insights into the system's configuration, file structure, and potentially even authentication mechanisms that could be used to escalate privileges or conduct more sophisticated attacks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and specifically relates to improper information handling within web applications. From an attacker's perspective, this flaw maps to several techniques within the ATT&CK framework including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1069 (Permission Groups Discovery) as it provides information about system resources and potentially user permissions. The vulnerability also intersects with T1592 (Get Access) and T1590 (Reconnaissance) phases, as it enables initial reconnaissance activities that could lead to more targeted attacks. Organizations using affected versions of MoinMoin should implement immediate patching measures to address this vulnerability, as the information disclosure could provide attackers with sufficient intelligence to conduct more advanced exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on updating to MoinMoin version 1.9.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly handle the sys.argv array clearing process. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network-level protections including firewalls and web application firewalls to limit access to the affected application. Input validation and sanitization measures should be enhanced to ensure that environment variables are properly handled during application initialization. Regular security assessments and monitoring of system logs can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The patch implementation should also include thorough testing to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in application functionality while effectively addressing the information disclosure vulnerability.