CVE-2011-3767 in osCommerce
Summary
by MITRE
osCommerce 3.0a5 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 redirect.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3767 affects osCommerce version 3.0a5 and represents a sensitive data exposure issue that enables remote attackers to obtain critical system information through direct file access. This flaw manifests when users make direct requests to php files within the application, specifically demonstrating the vulnerability through the redirect.php file. The vulnerability stems from improper error handling mechanisms that inadvertently disclose the absolute installation path of the osCommerce system in error messages generated during the execution of these php files.
This security weakness falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The vulnerability operates by exploiting the application's error reporting behavior, where the system fails to properly sanitize or suppress error messages that contain system path information. When an attacker accesses a php file directly, the application generates an error that includes the full file path where osCommerce is installed, providing valuable reconnaissance information that could be leveraged for subsequent attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical system information that can be used in conjunction with other attack vectors. The exposed installation path can reveal the underlying operating system structure, directory hierarchy, and potentially indicate the server environment configuration. This information can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as path traversal attempts, local file inclusion exploits, or other directory-based vulnerabilities that rely on knowledge of the system's file structure. The vulnerability particularly affects web applications that do not implement proper input validation and error handling mechanisms, making it a significant concern for systems running vulnerable versions of osCommerce.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3767 should focus on implementing proper error handling and input validation practices across the application. Organizations should disable detailed error messages in production environments and ensure that all php files properly validate access requests before executing sensitive operations. The implementation of proper logging mechanisms can help detect unauthorized direct file access attempts, while regular security audits should verify that error messages do not contain system path information. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which addresses the exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities to gather system information for attack planning. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and access control mechanisms to prevent direct access to php files that are not intended for public access, thereby reducing the attack surface and preventing similar information disclosure scenarios from occurring.