CVE-2011-3721 in concrete
Summary
by MITRE
concrete 5.4.0.5, 5.4.1, and 5.4.1.1 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 tools/spellchecker_service.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3721 affects concrete5 content management systems version 5.4.0.5, 5.4.1, and 5.4.1.1, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes installation paths through direct file access. This vulnerability resides within the application's error handling mechanisms where specific php files fail to properly sanitize error messages, allowing attackers to obtain sensitive system information through simple direct requests to vulnerable endpoints. The affected files include tools/spellchecker_service.php along with other related components within the concrete5 framework, making this a widespread issue across multiple versions of the CMS.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper error message handling within the concrete5 application architecture. When attackers make direct requests to specific php files without proper authentication or validation, the system returns error messages containing the full installation path of the concrete5 instance. This occurs because the application does not properly implement input validation or error suppression mechanisms, allowing the underlying file system paths to be exposed in error output. The vulnerability specifically targets the framework's handling of direct file access requests, where the system fails to distinguish between legitimate application errors and potential attack vectors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for concrete5 installations as it provides attackers with critical system information that can be used for further exploitation. The exposure of installation paths enables attackers to understand the application's directory structure and potentially identify other vulnerable components or files within the system. This information disclosure can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including directory traversal, path traversal, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities that may exist in the application. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it provides attackers with the precise locations of application files, potentially enabling targeted attacks against specific components.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure through error messages, and represents a classic example of insufficient error handling in web applications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1212 - Exploitation for Credential Access, as the exposed installation paths can facilitate credential theft through further exploitation. The attack vector involves simple HTTP requests to specific php files, making it easily exploitable by automated scanning tools and requiring minimal technical expertise to leverage. Organizations using affected concrete5 versions should immediately implement mitigations including proper error message handling, input validation, and access controls to prevent unauthorized direct file access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected concrete5 versions to the latest available releases which contain proper error handling mechanisms. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls or security headers that prevent direct access to php files outside of legitimate application workflows. Additionally, proper input validation should be implemented across all application endpoints to ensure that error messages do not contain system path information. The implementation of proper logging mechanisms can help detect and respond to exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that no other similar information disclosure vulnerabilities exist within the application or its dependencies. These measures align with industry best practices for preventing information disclosure vulnerabilities and maintaining robust application security posture.