CVE-2011-3775 in PHPfileNavigator
Summary
by MITRE
PHPfileNavigator 2.3.3 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 xestion/varios/logs.inc.php and certain other files.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3775 affects PHPfileNavigator version 2.3.3 and represents a sensitive data exposure issue that stems from improper error handling within the application's file processing mechanisms. This flaw allows remote attackers to directly access specific php files and extract installation path information through error messages that are inadvertently exposed to external parties. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers make direct requests to files such as xestion/varios/logs.inc.php and similar components within the application's directory structure, demonstrating how the system fails to properly sanitize or restrict access to internal file paths during error conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which catalogs weaknesses related to exposure of sensitive information, and more specifically maps to CWE-547, which addresses the use of hard-coded passwords or sensitive information in source code. The flaw operates through a fundamental lack of proper access control and error message sanitization within the PHPfileNavigator application. When the system encounters an error condition while processing certain php files, it fails to suppress or properly handle error messages that contain directory path information, thereby leaking installation paths to unauthorized users. This occurs because the application does not implement proper input validation or access restriction mechanisms that would prevent direct file access attempts from revealing internal system structure information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure and creates a significant risk for system compromise. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain knowledge about the server's file structure, which serves as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including directory traversal attempts, privilege escalation, and targeted exploitation of other system components. The leaked installation paths provide attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can be used to map out the application's architecture and identify potential secondary vulnerabilities. This information disclosure vulnerability can be leveraged in conjunction with other attack vectors to create more effective compromise strategies, as demonstrated by the ATT&CK framework's technique T1083, which covers the discovery of system information through directory listing and path enumeration activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and error handling mechanisms throughout the PHPfileNavigator application. System administrators should ensure that all php files are properly protected through access control lists or authentication mechanisms that prevent direct access to internal components. The application should be configured to suppress detailed error messages that contain system path information, implementing generic error responses that do not reveal installation paths or internal file structures. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other application components, particularly focusing on error handling practices that may inadvertently expose sensitive system information. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious access patterns and direct file requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and error handling in web applications, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten category a03, which addresses injection flaws that can lead to information disclosure and system compromise.