CVE-2011-0774 in PivotX
Summary
by MITRE
PivotX before 2.2.2 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to (1) includes/ping.php and (2) includes/spamping.php, which reveals the installation path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0774 affects PivotX versions prior to 2.2.2 and represents a sensitive data exposure issue that falls under the category of information disclosure. This flaw exists in the web application's error handling mechanisms within two specific files: includes/ping.php and includes/spamping.php. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize error messages, which inadvertently exposes critical system information to remote attackers who can directly access these script files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insecure error handling where the application reveals absolute file paths through error messages when these specific PHP files are accessed directly. This type of information disclosure can be categorized under CWE-209, which addresses error messages containing sensitive information, and also aligns with CWE-497, which covers exposure of system-specific information. The flaw operates by bypassing normal application flow and directly invoking the problematic scripts, allowing attackers to observe error output that includes the full server path where PivotX is installed.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to system security as it provides attackers with precise knowledge of the application's installation directory structure. This information can serve as a foundation for further exploitation attempts, including directory traversal attacks, path traversal vulnerabilities, or other filesystem-based exploits. The exposure of installation paths also violates fundamental security principles of defense in depth, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that would otherwise remain hidden. Attackers can leverage this information to plan more sophisticated attacks against the application or its underlying infrastructure, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to map the server's filesystem structure and identify potential additional attack vectors. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where multiple applications share the same server, as the revealed paths may expose relationships between different systems. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), as it enables attackers to gather information that can be used for privilege escalation and system compromise. Organizations should implement proper input validation and error handling procedures to prevent such disclosures, including implementing generic error messages that do not reveal system-specific information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected PivotX installations to version 2.2.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper error handling. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive error handling that suppresses detailed system information in error messages, ensuring that all error outputs are generic and do not reveal installation paths or system configurations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for direct access patterns to sensitive files. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications, and proper logging mechanisms should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing robust security practices in web application development and deployment.