CVE-2011-2727 in Tribiq
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) templatewrap/templatefoot.php, (2) cmsjs/plugin.js.php, and (3) cmsincludes/cms_plugin_api_link.inc.php scripts in Tribal Tribiq CMS before 5.2.7c allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request, which reveals the full path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2727 affects Tribal Tribiq CMS versions prior to 5.2.7c and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes system paths to remote attackers. This vulnerability manifests across three distinct script files including templatewrap/templatefoot.php, cmsjs/plugin.js.php, and cmsincludes/cms_plugin_api_link.inc.php, all of which are part of the CMS core functionality. The flaw enables attackers to obtain sensitive system information through direct HTTP requests that trigger error messages containing full server paths.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and specifically relates to the disclosure of sensitive information through error messages. The technical implementation involves the CMS scripts failing to properly sanitize error handling mechanisms, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to craft specific requests that result in error responses displaying the complete file system paths. These paths typically include the full directory structure where the CMS is installed, potentially revealing critical system information such as the web root directory, user account names, and potentially even database connection details.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it significantly aids attackers in planning subsequent exploitation attempts. When attackers obtain the full server paths, they gain valuable reconnaissance information that can be used to craft more targeted attacks against the system. The disclosed paths may reveal the exact installation directory structure, which can help identify potential weaknesses in file permissions, directory traversal vulnerabilities, or other system misconfigurations. This information disclosure creates a pathway for attackers to bypass certain security controls and potentially escalate their attacks.
According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1592 (Gather Victim Host Information) as attackers can systematically discover system paths and configurations. The vulnerability also relates to T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) in that the disclosed information can be used to craft more convincing phishing attacks. The exposure of full paths can also aid in identifying potential privilege escalation opportunities, as attackers may discover that certain directories are accessible or that specific file permissions exist. Organizations should note that this vulnerability represents a fundamental security misconfiguration that can be exploited without requiring any special privileges or advanced techniques.
The recommended mitigations include immediate patching of the Tribal Tribiq CMS to version 5.2.7c or later, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent error messages from revealing sensitive system paths. Additionally, organizations should implement proper error handling mechanisms that sanitize all error responses, ensuring that no system-specific information is exposed to end users or remote attackers. Web application firewalls should be configured to monitor for and block suspicious requests that attempt to trigger these error conditions. Regular security audits should include checks for similar vulnerabilities in other CMS components and custom scripts that may expose similar information disclosure risks. System administrators should also implement proper logging and monitoring to detect when such information disclosure attempts occur, enabling rapid response to potential exploitation attempts.