CVE-2011-3704 in appRain
Summary
by MITRE
appRain 0.1.0 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 cron.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3704 affects appRain version 0.1.0, a content management system that suffers from improper error handling mechanisms. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the application fails to sanitize error messages before displaying them to remote attackers. The specific exploitation vector involves direct requests to php files within the application's directory structure, particularly demonstrating the issue through the cron.php file. When attackers make unauthorized requests to these files, the application's error handling routines inadvertently expose sensitive system information including the complete installation path of the application on the server. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category, which encompasses information exposure vulnerabilities, and specifically aligns with CWE-497, which addresses the exposure of sensitive system information. The attack pattern follows the techniques outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Information Gathering phase, where adversaries systematically probe applications to discover system details that can aid in subsequent exploitation efforts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's lack of proper input validation and error handling procedures. When appRain encounters an unauthorized access attempt to a php file, it does not implement adequate sanitization of error messages before rendering them to the client. Instead, it directly outputs error information that includes the full filesystem path where the application is installed, providing attackers with crucial reconnaissance data. This occurs because the application's error reporting mechanism is configured to display verbose error messages containing system-level information, which is typical in development environments but dangerous in production systems. The cron.php file serves as a particularly effective attack vector because it is often used for automated tasks and may contain additional sensitive information beyond just the installation path. The vulnerability represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor security-by-design practices in the application's architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly reduces the security posture of systems running affected versions of appRain. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability gain knowledge about the application's deployment environment, which can be used to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting the specific system configuration. The exposed installation paths may reveal directory structures, file permissions, and other system characteristics that can aid in privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. Furthermore, this information disclosure can be combined with other vulnerabilities to create more effective attack chains, making the system more vulnerable to comprehensive compromise. The vulnerability also impacts the application's compliance with security standards such as the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the issue of sensitive data exposure, and can result in failed security audits or compliance assessments. Organizations using affected versions may face regulatory penalties or security certification failures due to the exposure of system-level information that should remain confidential.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3704 involve implementing proper error handling and input validation mechanisms within the appRain application. System administrators should ensure that error messages are sanitized before display and that verbose system information is not exposed to end users or unauthorized parties. The recommended approach includes configuring the application to log detailed errors internally while displaying generic error messages to users. This aligns with the principle of defense in depth and follows security best practices outlined in frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, which emphasizes the importance of protecting sensitive information. Organizations should also implement proper access controls to prevent unauthorized access to php files and ensure that the application's configuration files are properly secured. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to a patched version of appRain that addresses this vulnerability, as the original 0.1.0 version contains multiple security flaws that compound the risks associated with information disclosure. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive protection against information disclosure threats.