CVE-2011-3772 in phpCollab
Summary
by MITRE
phpCollab 2.5 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 topics/noti_newtopic.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3772 affects phpCollab version 2.5, a web-based project management application that enables collaborative work environments. This security flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers through improper error handling mechanisms within the application's codebase. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers make direct requests to certain php files, particularly topics/noti_newtopic.php and similar components, which trigger error messages containing the complete installation path of the vulnerable system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or handle error conditions during file access operations. When phpCollab encounters an unexpected condition while processing requests to specific .php files, it generates error messages that inadvertently reveal the absolute file path where the application is installed on the server. This occurs because the application's error reporting mechanism does not filter or obfuscate sensitive path information that is typically included in standard error messages for debugging purposes. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication or privileged access to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any remote attacker who discovers the vulnerable endpoints.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed installation paths provide attackers with crucial reconnaissance information that can be used for subsequent exploitation attempts. Knowledge of the exact file system structure enables attackers to craft more targeted attacks, potentially leading to directory traversal exploits, arbitrary file inclusion vulnerabilities, or other path-based attacks that could compromise the entire system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses information exposure through error messages, and represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security design that violates secure coding practices. From an adversarial perspective, this information disclosure creates opportunities for attackers to map the application's internal structure and identify potential attack vectors that might not be immediately apparent through normal reconnaissance activities.
Organizations utilizing phpCollab version 2.5 should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including disabling or modifying error reporting to prevent path disclosure in error messages, implementing proper input validation for all file access operations, and ensuring that error handling mechanisms do not reveal sensitive system information. The recommended approach involves configuring the web server or application framework to suppress detailed error messages in production environments and implementing comprehensive logging mechanisms that capture security-relevant events without exposing system paths. Additionally, organizations should consider applying the vendor-provided patches or upgrading to newer versions of phpCollab that address this specific vulnerability. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following ATT&CK framework techniques related to reconnaissance and initial access, as information disclosure represents a critical step in the attack lifecycle that enables more sophisticated exploitation attempts.