CVE-2011-3733 in Elgg
Summary
by MITRE
Elgg 1.7.6 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 vendors/simpletest/test/visual_test.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3733 affects Elgg version 1.7.6 and represents a sensitive data exposure issue that fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected systems. This flaw manifests when remote attackers can directly request specific php files within the application, leading to the revelation of critical installation paths through error messages. The vulnerability specifically impacts files such as vendors/simpletest/test/visual_test.php and other similar components within the Elgg framework, creating a direct pathway for attackers to gather information about the underlying system architecture and file structure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which catalogs weaknesses related to exposure of sensitive information. The flaw operates through improper error handling mechanisms within the Elgg application where error messages are not properly sanitized before being displayed to users. When attackers make direct requests to vulnerable php files, the application fails to implement adequate input validation and output sanitization, resulting in the disclosure of absolute file paths that can be used for further exploitation attempts. This type of information disclosure creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks by providing attackers with knowledge of the system's directory structure and potentially exposing other vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3733 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed installation paths can facilitate subsequent attack vectors including directory traversal exploits, path-based privilege escalation attempts, and targeted attacks against specific components within the application. The vulnerability particularly affects the security of web applications by enabling attackers to map the application's file system structure, which can be leveraged to identify additional sensitive files, understand the application's architecture, and potentially discover other vulnerabilities within the system. This information disclosure creates an attack surface that can be exploited by threat actors to plan more effective and targeted assaults against the affected Elgg installations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including proper error handling configuration, input validation enforcement, and output sanitization measures to prevent path disclosure. The recommended approach involves configuring the web server to suppress detailed error messages and implementing proper access controls to prevent direct access to sensitive php files. Security practitioners should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent unauthorized direct requests to vulnerable files. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, which emphasize the critical need for proper error handling and information protection in web applications. The remediation process should include comprehensive security testing of the application's error handling mechanisms and regular vulnerability assessments to ensure that similar issues do not persist in updated versions of the software.