CVE-2011-3718 in CMS Made Simple
Summary
by MITRE
CMS Made Simple (CMSMS) 1.9.2 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/TinyMCE/TinyMCE.module.php and certain other files. NOTE: this might overlap CVE-2007-5444.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3718 affects CMS Made Simple version 1.9.2 and represents a sensitive data exposure issue that enables remote attackers to obtain installation path information through direct requests to php files. This weakness falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities and is particularly concerning as it provides adversaries with critical system information that can be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability specifically manifests when certain php files are accessed directly, causing error messages to be displayed that reveal the absolute installation path of the CMS system. This type of information disclosure can significantly aid attackers in understanding the target environment and planning subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the CMSMS application. When attackers make direct requests to specific php files such as modules/TinyMCE/TinyMCE.module.php, the application fails to properly sanitize these requests or implement proper access controls. Instead of gracefully handling unauthorized direct access attempts, the system generates error messages that inadvertently expose the server path structure where CMSMS is installed. This represents a classic case of improper error handling where system internals are exposed to unauthorized users, making the application more vulnerable to reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to discover not only the installation path but potentially other system details that could be used in combination with other exploits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can be used for privilege escalation and system compromise. The exposed installation paths can reveal directory structures, file locations, and potentially help attackers identify other vulnerable components within the system. This information can be particularly valuable when combined with other vulnerabilities, as it allows attackers to craft more targeted attacks against specific files or directories. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security practices in the application's error handling mechanisms, which can indicate broader security weaknesses in the codebase. From a compliance perspective, this exposure violates security standards that require proper error handling to prevent information leakage that could be exploited by malicious actors.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a specific instance where error messages contain sensitive information that should not be exposed to unauthenticated users. The issue also relates to ATT&CK technique T1083, which involves discovering file and directory permissions, as the exposed installation paths provide attackers with information about system directory structures. Additionally, this weakness could facilitate other attacks such as path traversal or local file inclusion vulnerabilities, as attackers now have knowledge of valid file paths within the system. The overlap with CVE-2007-5444 suggests that similar information disclosure patterns existed in earlier versions of CMSMS, indicating a persistent security issue within the application's architecture. Organizations should implement proper access controls, error handling, and input validation to prevent such exposures, while also ensuring that error messages do not reveal system internals to unauthorized users. The vulnerability highlights the importance of security by design principles and proper security testing to identify and remediate information disclosure issues before they can be exploited in the wild.