CVE-2011-3697 in Achievo
Summary
by MITRE
Achievo 1.4.5 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to a .php file, which reveals the installation path in an error message, as demonstrated by modules/graph/jpgraph/jpgraph_radar.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3697 affects Achievo version 1.4.5, a web-based application designed for project management and collaboration. This security flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of error messages within its PHP components, specifically in files related to graphing functionality. When attackers make direct requests to certain .php files, including modules/graph/jpgraph/jpgraph_radar.php, the application fails to sanitize error outputs, resulting in the exposure of the system's installation path.
This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with critical system information that can be leveraged for further exploitation. The disclosure of installation paths enables threat actors to understand the application's directory structure and potentially identify other vulnerable components within the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core application files that are essential for the software's functionality, making it difficult to remediate without addressing the underlying error handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can use the exposed installation paths to craft targeted attacks against specific components or to map the application's architecture for privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices and highlights the importance of proper error handling in web applications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1212 "Exploitation for Credential Access" and T1083 "File and Directory Discovery" as attackers can use the disclosed information to navigate the system and identify potential attack vectors.
The affected files within the jpgraph library component indicate that the issue originates from third-party dependencies rather than the core application logic. This demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and error handling when integrating external libraries into web applications. Organizations using Achievo 1.4.5 should immediately implement mitigations including disabling direct access to sensitive PHP files, implementing proper error handling mechanisms, and ensuring that error messages do not reveal system paths or internal application details. The vulnerability also underscores the need for regular security assessments of third-party components and the importance of maintaining updated versions of all software dependencies to prevent similar exposure scenarios.