CVE-2010-4401 in DynPG
Summary
by MITRE
languages.inc.php in DynPG CMS 4.2.0 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request, which reveals the installation path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4401 affects DynPG CMS version 4.2.0 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability resides within the languages.inc.php file, which is part of the content management system's language handling functionality. The flaw enables unauthorized individuals to gain knowledge of the server's installation path through a simple direct request, creating a significant security risk for affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling within the DynPG CMS framework. When a malicious actor sends a crafted request directly to the languages.inc.php file, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing the request. This results in the generation of an error message that inadvertently includes the full server path where the CMS is installed. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in error message generation and input validation, which directly violates established security principles and standards.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations running affected DynPG CMS installations. The disclosure of the installation path provides attackers with crucial information that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts. Attackers can use this knowledge to craft more targeted attacks, potentially leading to directory traversal exploits, remote code execution, or other advanced persistent threats. The vulnerability also violates the principle of least privilege by exposing system internals that should remain hidden from external entities. This information disclosure can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks and significantly increases the attack surface of compromised systems.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to map the server environment and identify potential weaknesses in the overall system architecture. The exposed installation path can be used in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges or gain deeper access to the system. This flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a clear violation of the principle of defense in depth. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessment frameworks and ensure proper error handling configurations are implemented.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4401 should focus on immediate patching of the affected DynPG CMS version, as well as implementing proper error handling mechanisms that prevent sensitive information disclosure. System administrators should configure the CMS to suppress detailed error messages and implement input validation controls to prevent direct access to sensitive system files. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying web application firewalls and implementing monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, which emphasize the critical need to protect sensitive system information from unauthorized disclosure. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components and ensure comprehensive protection against information disclosure attacks.