CVE-2011-3765 in Open-Realty
Summary
by MITRE
Open-Realty 2.5.8 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 install/versions/upgrade_115.inc.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3765 affects Open-Realty version 2.5.8, a web-based real estate management system that was widely used in the early 2010s. This security flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that exposes critical system details to remote attackers. The vulnerability manifests when users make direct requests to specific php files within the application's directory structure, particularly those located in the install/versions/ directory. When these files are accessed without proper authentication or validation, they generate error messages that inadvertently reveal the complete installation path of the web application on the server filesystem. This type of information disclosure directly aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes weaknesses related to improper information exposure, and represents a fundamental security misconfiguration that violates the principle of least privilege and defense in depth.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through simple HTTP requests that target specific installation files within the application's codebase. Attackers can systematically probe various php files in the install/versions/ directory to trigger error messages that contain the full server path where Open-Realty is installed. This exposure of the installation path provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance information that can be leveraged in subsequent attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require authentication or specialized tools to exploit, making it accessible to even basic threat actors. The error messages typically contain stack traces or direct path references that reveal directory structures, file locations, and potentially sensitive system information that could aid in further exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates poor error handling practices and inadequate input validation, which are core components of secure coding standards as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Once an attacker obtains the installation path, they can use this information to craft more targeted attacks against the specific version of Open-Realty in use. The revealed paths may expose the exact version of the software, the underlying operating system, and potentially other installed applications on the same server. This information can be used to identify known vulnerabilities specific to that version, or to plan attacks that exploit the server's configuration. The vulnerability also enables attackers to perform directory traversal attacks or to identify other potentially vulnerable files within the application's directory structure. From an attacker's perspective, this information disclosure represents a critical first step in the attack lifecycle, as defined by the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the reconnaissance phase, where adversaries gather information about their target before executing more damaging attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3765 involve implementing proper error handling mechanisms and restricting access to installation files. Organizations should ensure that all php files, particularly those in installation directories, are properly secured and cannot be accessed directly through web requests. This can be achieved through proper web server configuration, such as implementing access controls that prevent direct access to sensitive directories, or by modifying the application code to suppress detailed error messages in production environments. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation and error handling. Security measures should include disabling error display in production environments, implementing proper access controls for installation files, and regularly reviewing file permissions to ensure that sensitive directories are not accessible through the web server. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious access patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this type of vulnerability. The remediation process should also include regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify similar information disclosure issues within the application's codebase, as this vulnerability represents a broader class of issues that can be found in many legacy web applications.