CVE-2011-3705 in Arctic Fox CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Arctic Fox CMS 0.9.4 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 acp/includes/edit.inc.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3705 affects Arctic Fox CMS version 0.9.4 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability manifests when attackers can directly access php files within the application's directory structure, specifically targeting files such as acp/includes/edit.inc.php and similar components. The flaw enables unauthorized parties to obtain the complete installation path of the content management system through error messages generated by the application's php interpreter, creating a significant security risk for organizations using this particular version of the CMS.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability stems from improper error handling within the Arctic Fox CMS implementation. When a malicious actor accesses specific php files directly, the application fails to properly sanitize error messages or implement adequate access controls, resulting in the exposure of the server path where the CMS is installed. This type of information disclosure vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure Through an Error Message," and represents a common pattern where applications reveal internal system details through error responses. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication or privileged access to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any remote attacker with basic internet connectivity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple path disclosure, as the revealed installation paths provide attackers with crucial reconnaissance information for subsequent exploitation attempts. Knowledge of the exact file structure and installation location enables attackers to plan more sophisticated attacks, including directory traversal exploits, privilege escalation attempts, or targeted attacks against specific components within the application. The exposure of the installation path also violates security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the risk of information disclosure that can lead to further compromise. Organizations using Arctic Fox CMS 0.9.4 face increased risk of cascading security incidents, as the disclosed path information can serve as a foundation for more advanced attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3705 should prioritize immediate remediation through the upgrade to a patched version of Arctic Fox CMS, as this represents the most effective solution to eliminate the vulnerability entirely. System administrators should implement proper error handling configurations that prevent sensitive path information from being exposed in error messages, which aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1068 for privilege escalation through path manipulation. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with rules designed to block direct access to php files and establishing proper access controls for administrative directories can provide layered defense against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other potential information disclosure vulnerabilities within their web applications and ensure that error messages are properly sanitized to prevent leakage of system information that could aid attackers in their reconnaissance activities.