CVE-2011-3719 in CodeIgniter
Summary
by MITRE
CodeIgniter 1.7.2 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 system/scaffolding/views/view.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3719 affects CodeIgniter version 1.7.2 and represents a sensitive data exposure issue that stems from improper error handling mechanisms within the framework. This flaw allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to system information through direct requests to specific php files, particularly those located in the system/scaffolding/views directory. The vulnerability manifests when error messages are generated in response to malformed requests, inadvertently disclosing the absolute file path of the CodeIgniter installation to any remote user who can access the application. This type of information disclosure vulnerability is categorized under CWE-209, which specifically addresses the exposure of error messages containing sensitive information such as file paths, system details, or internal application structure. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal sophistication from an attacker, as the vulnerability can be exploited simply by making direct HTTP requests to specific file paths within the application structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the application level where CodeIgniter fails to properly sanitize or suppress error messages that contain system path information. When users make direct requests to .php files such as system/scaffolding/views/view.php, the framework generates error responses that include the full installation path in the error message output. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as it provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance information that could be used to plan more sophisticated attacks. The error handling mechanism in CodeIgniter 1.7.2 does not adequately filter or mask sensitive information that might be exposed during normal error conditions, creating a pathway for attackers to understand the underlying system architecture and potentially identify other vulnerabilities within the application environment. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves exploitation of information exposure vulnerabilities to gather system information for further attack planning.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical system architecture details that can facilitate more advanced exploitation attempts. The disclosed installation path can reveal information about the operating system, file structure, and potentially even the specific version of CodeIgniter being used, which could be leveraged to identify other known vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. This information exposure creates a foundation for subsequent attacks that might involve path traversal, local file inclusion, or other exploitation techniques that rely on understanding the target system's file structure. Organizations running CodeIgniter 1.7.2 are particularly vulnerable because this version predates many security hardening measures that were subsequently implemented in later releases. The vulnerability represents a classic example of poor input validation and error handling practices that have been addressed in modern web application frameworks through comprehensive security measures including proper error suppression, input sanitization, and application-level security configurations. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper error handling in web applications and the potential consequences of failing to implement adequate security measures during application development phases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3719 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates to CodeIgniter version 2.0.0 or later, which contain improved error handling mechanisms and security hardening measures. Organizations should also implement proper error handling configurations that suppress sensitive information in error messages, ensuring that error responses do not contain system paths or other potentially useful information for attackers. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls can be deployed to detect and block direct requests to sensitive file paths, providing an additional layer of defense. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any other potential information disclosure vulnerabilities within their CodeIgniter applications and ensure that all error handling mechanisms are properly configured to prevent sensitive data exposure. The remediation process should include reviewing and updating the application's error handling code to ensure that no sensitive information is exposed during error conditions, and implementing logging mechanisms to monitor for suspicious access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools that can detect similar vulnerabilities in their web applications and ensure that proper security configurations are maintained throughout the application lifecycle.