CVE-2011-3746 in Jcow
Summary
by MITRE
Jcow 4.2.1 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 themes/default/page.tpl.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3746 affects Jcow version 4.2.1, a web-based content management system that was widely used for creating social networking platforms and community websites. This issue represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that exposes critical system details to unauthorized users. The flaw manifests when remote attackers can directly access specific php files within the application's directory structure, particularly targeting files such as themes/default/page.tpl.php and other related components. When these files are accessed directly, the application fails to properly handle the request and instead returns error messages containing the full installation path of the web application on the server filesystem.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the Jcow application framework. When a user or attacker attempts to access a php file directly without proper authentication or routing through the application's intended interface, the system does not implement proper security controls to prevent such direct access. Instead, the application generates standard php error messages that inadvertently reveal sensitive information including the complete file system path where Jcow is installed. This type of information disclosure can occur due to missing access control checks, improper exception handling, or lack of proper file access restrictions within the application's codebase. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure, and represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that allows unauthorized information retrieval.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple path disclosure and creates significant security risks for affected systems. Attackers who discover the installation path can leverage this information to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting specific file locations, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities such as local file inclusion vulnerabilities or directory traversal attacks. The exposure of the installation path provides attackers with critical reconnaissance data that can be used to map the application's file structure and identify potential attack vectors. This information disclosure can also aid in bypassing certain security measures that rely on obscurity or lack of knowledge about the system's internal structure. From an attacker's perspective, knowing the exact installation path allows for more precise targeting of other vulnerabilities that may exist within the application's file system or configuration files that are accessible through the disclosed path structure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and error handling mechanisms within the Jcow application. The most effective approach involves ensuring that all php files are properly protected through access control checks that prevent direct access to application components. This can be achieved by implementing proper routing mechanisms that force all requests through the application's main entry point, rather than allowing direct file access. Additionally, the application should be configured to suppress detailed error messages in production environments, implementing generic error handling that does not reveal system paths or internal application details. Security measures should include proper file permissions that prevent direct access to sensitive files, implementation of .htaccess rules or similar access control mechanisms, and comprehensive input validation to ensure that all requests are properly routed through the application's intended interface. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block direct file access attempts, and regularly audit their application's error handling mechanisms to ensure that no sensitive information is exposed through error messages. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices in web application development, including proper input validation, secure error handling, and the principle of least privilege in file access controls, aligning with the security recommendations outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry security frameworks.