CVE-2011-3741 in Ganglia
Summary
by MITRE
Ganglia 3.1.7 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 host_view.php and certain other files.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3741 affects Ganglia monitoring software version 3.1.7, presenting a significant information disclosure risk that can be exploited by remote attackers. This flaw manifests when users make direct requests to specific php files within the application, particularly host_view.php and related components, causing the system to inadvertently reveal critical installation path information through error messages. The vulnerability represents a classic case of improper error handling and sensitive data exposure, where the application fails to sanitize error outputs that contain system-specific paths and configuration details. Such information disclosure can provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that facilitates further exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's lack of proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within its php file processing logic. When attackers directly access .php files without proper authentication or authorization, the system generates error messages that contain the full file system paths where Ganglia is installed. This occurs because the application does not implement adequate error suppression or sanitization measures that would prevent sensitive path information from being exposed to unauthenticated users. The flaw specifically affects the way the software handles direct file access attempts, where normal application flow is bypassed and error conditions are triggered without proper security considerations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly weakens the security posture of systems running affected Ganglia versions, as it provides attackers with precise information about the application's installation structure. The exposed installation paths can reveal not only the base directory but also potentially sensitive configuration details that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. Attackers can use this information to craft more targeted attacks against the system, potentially identifying other vulnerable components or services running in the same environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote user with network access to the affected system.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with multiple cybersecurity frameworks and threat modeling concepts. The issue corresponds to CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a failure to properly manage error conditions in web applications. Additionally, this vulnerability can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1083, "File and Directory Discovery," as it provides attackers with information about file system structures. The exposure of installation paths also relates to T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," as such information can be used to identify potential attack vectors and system weaknesses. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader information disclosure threat landscape that requires comprehensive remediation strategies.
The recommended mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3741 involve immediate patching of the affected Ganglia software to version 3.1.8 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper error handling. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and error suppression mechanisms to prevent direct file access attempts that could trigger sensitive information disclosure. Additional defensive measures include configuring web server access controls to restrict direct access to php files, implementing proper logging and monitoring for suspicious access patterns, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be enforced to limit access to monitoring interfaces, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries.