CVE-2011-3740 in FrontAccounting
Summary
by MITRE
FrontAccounting 2.3.1 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 reporting/includes/fpdi/fpdi2tcpdf_bridge.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3740 affects FrontAccounting version 2.3.1, a web-based accounting software solution widely used by small to medium enterprises for financial management. This security flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that exposes critical system details to unauthorized remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers can directly access php files within the application's directory structure, particularly targeting files within the reporting/includes/fpdi/fpdi2tcpdf_bridge.php path and similar components. The flaw demonstrates how inadequate error handling and path disclosure mechanisms can provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance information that significantly weakens the overall security posture of the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user input and validate file access requests. When a remote attacker makes a direct request to specific php files, the application generates error messages that inadvertently reveal the complete server installation path. This occurs because the software does not implement proper access controls or input validation mechanisms to prevent unauthorized file access attempts. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 "File and Directory Discovery" as it enables attackers to map the application's file structure and locate sensitive installation paths. The exposed path information typically includes the complete directory structure where the application is installed, potentially revealing the operating system's file system layout and server configuration details.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple path disclosure, as it provides attackers with crucial information for subsequent exploitation attempts. Once an attacker obtains the installation path, they can use this knowledge to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting specific file locations, potentially leading to further vulnerabilities such as local file inclusion or directory traversal issues. The exposure of installation paths can also reveal version information and directory structures that may be leveraged in combination with other vulnerabilities to escalate attacks. This information disclosure vulnerability significantly reduces the attack surface by providing attackers with detailed knowledge of the application's internal architecture and file system organization, making it easier to identify potential entry points for privilege escalation or data exfiltration attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3740 should focus on implementing comprehensive access controls and proper error handling mechanisms. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches or upgrade to a newer version of FrontAccounting that addresses this vulnerability. System administrators must ensure that all php files within the application directory are protected through proper authentication mechanisms and that error messages do not reveal sensitive system information. Implementing proper input validation, access control lists, and disabling direct file access through web servers are critical defensive measures. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security audits of their web applications to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities and ensure that error handling routines are configured to prevent path revelation. The remediation process should also include monitoring web server logs for suspicious access patterns and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block unauthorized file access attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and proper error handling in preventing information disclosure attacks that can compromise entire systems.