CVE-2011-3739 in Freeway
Summary
by MITRE
Freeway 1.5 Alpha 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 templates/Freeway/boxes/last_product.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3739 affects Freeway 1.5 Alpha, a content management system that exposes sensitive installation path information through error messages generated by direct requests to php files. This issue represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that can significantly impact the security posture of affected systems. The flaw manifests when attackers make direct requests to specific php files within the application's directory structure, particularly targeting files located in the templates/Freeway/boxes/ directory such as last_product.php. When these files are accessed directly, they generate error messages that inadvertently reveal the complete server path where the application is installed.
This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure flaws, which are categorized as CWE-200 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. The disclosure of installation paths creates a significant risk for attackers as it provides them with critical system information that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts. The exposed paths can reveal directory structures, file locations, and potentially sensitive server configurations that would otherwise remain hidden from remote attackers. This type of information exposure creates an attack surface that aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the information gathering phase, where adversaries systematically collect intelligence about target systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple path disclosure, as it enables attackers to construct more sophisticated attacks by understanding the application's directory structure and file organization. When combined with other vulnerabilities or reconnaissance efforts, this information can facilitate directory traversal attacks, file inclusion exploits, or targeted attacks against specific components within the application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs during normal application operation when error conditions are triggered, making it difficult to prevent through simple configuration changes. Attackers can exploit this by simply crafting malicious requests to various php files within the application's directory structure to map out the installation environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3739 should focus on implementing proper error handling mechanisms that prevent sensitive information from being exposed in error messages. Organizations should configure their web applications to suppress detailed error messages in production environments and instead display generic error pages to users. The implementation of proper input validation and access controls can prevent direct access to php files that should only be accessed through the application's intended interface. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar information disclosure vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious direct file access attempts while maintaining proper logging for security monitoring purposes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing comprehensive error handling procedures that align with industry security standards and best practices.