CVE-2011-3698 in AdaptCMS
Summary
by MITRE
AdaptCMS 2.0.2 Beta 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 inc/poll_vote.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3698 affects AdaptCMS version 2.0.2 Beta and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure error handling and improper information exposure, which are commonly classified as CWE-209 and CWE-200 respectively within the CWE database. The flaw occurs when attackers can directly access specific php files within the application's directory structure, particularly targeting files such as inc/poll_vote.php and similar components. When these files are accessed without proper authentication or input validation, they generate error messages that inadvertently reveal the absolute installation path of the CMS on the server filesystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user inputs and validate access requests to internal php components. When a remote attacker makes a direct request to these vulnerable files, the application does not implement adequate access controls or input validation mechanisms that would prevent unauthorized access to internal system components. The error messages generated by these files contain explicit path information that can be leveraged by malicious actors to gain insights into the server's directory structure, which serves as a foundation for further exploitation attempts. This type of information disclosure vulnerability enables attackers to map the application's file system structure and potentially identify other vulnerable components or misconfigurations within the server environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical reconnaissance data that can facilitate more sophisticated attacks. The revealed installation paths can be used to craft targeted attacks against other components of the system, potentially leading to privilege escalation, arbitrary code execution, or complete system compromise. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) as attackers can systematically gather information about the target environment. The exposure of the installation path also increases the attack surface by providing attackers with knowledge of the application's internal structure, potentially enabling them to exploit other vulnerabilities that may exist within the same codebase.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation, access controls, and error handling mechanisms within the application. The most effective approach involves configuring the web server to deny direct access to internal php files and implementing proper authentication checks before allowing access to sensitive components. Additionally, the application should be configured to suppress detailed error messages that reveal system information, instead displaying generic error pages to users. Security headers such as X-Content-Type-Options and X-Frame-Options should be implemented to prevent information leakage through various attack vectors. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities within their applications. The remediation process should include updating to a patched version of AdaptCMS if available, or implementing proper access controls and input validation measures that prevent direct access to internal php components. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability.