CVE-2011-3264 in Zabbix
Summary
by MITRE
Zabbix before 1.8.6 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an invalid srcfld2 parameter to popup.php, which reveals the installation path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3264 represents a sensitive information disclosure flaw in Zabbix monitoring software versions prior to 1.8.6. This issue manifests through the popup.php script which fails to properly validate input parameters, specifically the srcfld2 parameter. When an attacker submits an invalid srcfld2 value, the application generates an error message that inadvertently exposes the system's installation path. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with valuable system reconnaissance data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the input validation mechanisms of the Zabbix web interface. The popup.php script processes user input without adequate sanitization or validation of the srcfld2 parameter, allowing malicious input to trigger error handling routines that output system paths. This weakness enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities that could lead to more sophisticated attacks, as knowledge of the installation path can reveal directory structures, potential file locations, and system configuration details that may be exploited in subsequent attack phases. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for systems with public web access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with foundational reconnaissance data that can be leveraged for further exploitation. An attacker who discovers the installation path can potentially identify other system components, understand the software architecture, and plan more targeted attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) as it enables adversaries to gather system information through error messages. The exposure of installation paths can also facilitate path traversal attacks or help attackers craft more effective payload delivery mechanisms, as they gain knowledge about the target system's file structure.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Zabbix version 1.8.6 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as no effective workarounds exist for the core issue. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation across all web applications and ensure that error messages do not contain sensitive system information. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure error handling practices and proper input sanitization in web applications. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The incident highlights the critical need for regular security updates and proper configuration management to prevent attackers from gaining unauthorized knowledge about system internals. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their web applications and ensure that error handling routines do not inadvertently expose system information to unauthorized users.