CVE-2011-3725 in DeluxeBB
Summary
by MITRE
DeluxeBB 1.3 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 header_html.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3725 affects DeluxeBB version 1.3, a web-based bulletin board system that was widely used for online community forums. This security flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. The issue manifests when users or attackers make direct requests to specific php files within the application, particularly header_html.php, which inadvertently reveals the server installation path through error messages. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper error handling and sensitive data exposure, which are commonly addressed in security frameworks and standards.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly sanitize or handle direct file access requests. When DeluxeBB encounters a direct request to a php file without proper authentication or validation, the system generates an error message that contains the full server path where the application is installed. This occurs because the application's error handling routine does not adequately filter or suppress sensitive path information that should remain hidden from external users. The vulnerability specifically affects the header_html.php file, which is part of the forum's template system and likely contains configuration elements that expose system paths during error conditions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations using DeluxeBB 1.3. The disclosure of installation paths enables attackers to gain valuable reconnaissance information that can be used in subsequent attack phases. An attacker who discovers the server path can potentially map the application's directory structure, identify other vulnerable files, and craft more sophisticated attacks. This information disclosure aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. The vulnerability also supports the ATT&CK technique of credential access through information gathering, as the disclosed path information can be used to understand the system's configuration and potentially identify other weaknesses.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through simple web requests, making it particularly dangerous for widespread impact. Attackers can systematically test various php files within the DeluxeBB installation to discover which ones reveal path information, creating a reconnaissance tool that can be automated. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and error handling practices in web applications, as the system should never expose internal system paths through error messages regardless of how the application is accessed. Organizations should implement comprehensive error handling that masks sensitive information and follows security best practices for web application development.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the DeluxeBB application to the latest available version that addresses this specific issue. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and error handling mechanisms that prevent direct file access attempts from revealing system information. Web application firewalls can be configured to detect and block suspicious file access patterns, while security monitoring tools should be deployed to identify unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices, particularly around error handling and input validation, as these are fundamental security controls that prevent information disclosure attacks. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications and ensure proper configuration management practices are in place to protect against path disclosure issues.