CVE-2011-3734 in Energine
Summary
by MITRE
Energine 2.3.8 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 core/framework/SimpleBuilder.class.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3734 affects Energine 2.3.8, a web application framework that suffers from insecure error handling practices leading to information disclosure. This flaw resides in the application's inability to properly sanitize error messages that are generated during the processing of direct requests to php files. When an attacker makes a direct request to specific php files within the application's directory structure, particularly core/framework/SimpleBuilder.class.php and related components, the system reveals sensitive installation path information through error messages. This type of vulnerability represents a classic example of information exposure through error handling, where system internals are inadvertently disclosed to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the framework's lack of proper input validation and error message sanitization mechanisms. When the application processes requests to php files without adequate security controls, it fails to filter or suppress sensitive path information that may be included in error responses. The error messages generated by the system contain absolute or relative file paths that reveal the underlying directory structure of the installation, including the complete path to the application's root directory. This information disclosure occurs because the application's error handling routine does not properly distinguish between internal system information and user-facing error messages. The vulnerability specifically impacts the core framework components, particularly those in the core/framework directory, where the SimpleBuilder.class.php file serves as a primary vector for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical system information that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks. The revealed installation paths can be used to construct more sophisticated attacks by identifying potential file inclusion vulnerabilities, understanding the application's directory structure, and mapping out the system architecture. This information disclosure creates opportunities for attackers to perform path traversal attacks, directory listing exploits, or to identify other potential vulnerabilities within the application's codebase. From an attacker's perspective, the exposure of installation paths can facilitate privilege escalation attempts, as the attacker gains knowledge about the system's file hierarchy and can potentially identify configuration files or other sensitive components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which addresses the improper handling of errors that lead to the disclosure of sensitive information, and represents a fundamental security weakness in the application's defensive design.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3734 should focus on implementing comprehensive error handling practices that prevent sensitive information from being exposed to end users. The primary remediation involves configuring the application to suppress or sanitize error messages, ensuring that system paths and internal details are not included in user-facing responses. This can be achieved by implementing centralized error handling routines that catch exceptions and generate generic error messages without revealing system internals. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and access controls to prevent direct access to internal php files that are not intended for public consumption. The implementation of custom error pages that do not contain system path information, combined with proper logging mechanisms that capture detailed error information internally while presenting generic messages to users, forms the core of effective mitigation. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to ensure that error handling practices remain robust and that no new vulnerabilities have been introduced through application updates or modifications. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to security best practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the ATT&CK framework, where information disclosure represents a fundamental threat that can enable more sophisticated attacks.