CVE-2011-3748 in 2 B3
Summary
by MITRE
Kamads Classifieds 2_B3 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 V2A_XHTML/style/view.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3748 affects Kamads Classifieds version 2_B3, a web application designed for creating classified advertisements websites. This security flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the application fails to properly handle error conditions and instead exposes sensitive system information to unauthorized users. The vulnerability specifically manifests when remote attackers make direct requests to certain php files within the application's directory structure, particularly the V2A_XHTML/style/view.php file and similar components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper error handling within the web application's codebase. When the application encounters an error condition while processing requests to these specific php files, it generates error messages that inadvertently include the absolute installation path of the application on the server. This occurs because the application's error reporting mechanism lacks proper sanitization of error messages before they are displayed to users. The installation path disclosure represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with critical system information that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations using Kamads Classifieds 2_B3 as it enables attackers to gather information about the target system's filesystem structure. The disclosed installation paths can be used to map the application's directory structure, potentially revealing other sensitive files or directories that might be accessible through the same vulnerability. This information disclosure can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks, including directory traversal attempts, file inclusion vulnerabilities, or other exploitation techniques that rely on knowledge of the target system's file structure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses improper error message information exposure, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should prevent sensitive system information from being exposed to end users.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise from threat actors. Remote attackers need only make direct HTTP requests to specific php files within the application to trigger the error conditions that reveal the installation path. This accessibility makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by automated scanning tools or casual attackers without requiring special privileges or complex attack chains. The vulnerability also demonstrates a failure in input validation and error handling that violates fundamental security principles outlined in various security frameworks and standards. Organizations should implement comprehensive error handling procedures that sanitize all error messages and avoid exposing system-specific information to end users. This includes implementing proper logging mechanisms, configuring web servers to suppress detailed error messages, and ensuring that error handling code does not inadvertently reveal sensitive system information through error messages or stack traces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper error handling mechanisms throughout the application codebase. Developers should ensure that all php files include robust error handling that prevents the disclosure of installation paths or other sensitive system information in error messages. This involves configuring the web application to display generic error messages to end users while logging detailed technical information securely for administrators. Additionally, organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization procedures to prevent the conditions that trigger these error messages. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security code reviews and penetration testing to identify similar information disclosure issues across the entire application stack. Implementing security headers, proper server configuration, and comprehensive error handling patterns can significantly reduce the risk of such vulnerabilities being exploited in production environments.