CVE-2011-3779 in PhpHostBot
Summary
by MITRE
PhpHostBot 2.0 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 admin/create_acct.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3779 affects PhpHostBot 2.0, a web-based hosting control panel application that enables users to manage hosting accounts and server configurations through a graphical interface. This particular flaw represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers without requiring authentication or specific exploitation techniques. The vulnerability resides within the application's error handling mechanisms where improperly configured error messages reveal the absolute file system path of the installation directory. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure as defined by CWE-200, which encompasses any weakness that allows unauthorized parties to gain access to information that should remain confidential. The specific implementation of this vulnerability occurs when attackers directly request certain .php files within the application's directory structure, triggering error responses that contain the complete installation path.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where error messages are not properly sanitized or controlled before being displayed to users. When attackers access files such as admin/create_acct.php or other administrative components, the application generates error messages that inadvertently expose the absolute file path where the application is installed on the server. This information disclosure can be leveraged by threat actors to gain insights into the server environment, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as path traversal exploits or directory enumeration. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it provides attackers with precise knowledge of the application's file structure, which can be used to craft more targeted attacks against the system. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1212 - Exploitation for Credential Access, as the leaked information can facilitate further exploitation attempts. The exposure of installation paths can also aid in identifying potential attack vectors and understanding the underlying system architecture, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where additional security controls are not properly implemented.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more serious security breaches within the hosting environment. Attackers who obtain the installation path can use this information to better understand the application's code structure and potentially identify other vulnerabilities that may exist within the same codebase. The leaked installation path serves as a valuable intelligence asset for threat actors planning targeted attacks against the hosting infrastructure, as it provides direct insight into the server configuration and application deployment patterns. This vulnerability can be exploited as part of a broader reconnaissance phase where attackers gather intelligence before launching more sophisticated attacks. The exposure of such sensitive information can lead to cascading security issues, particularly in environments where multiple applications share similar deployment patterns or where the leaked information can be combined with other reconnaissance data to compromise entire hosting environments. Organizations using PhpHostBot 2.0 should consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within their hosting infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3779 should focus on implementing proper error handling and response management within the application. The most effective approach involves configuring the web server and application to suppress detailed error messages that contain system information, ensuring that all error responses are generic and do not reveal installation paths or system configurations. Organizations should implement comprehensive logging mechanisms to monitor for suspicious access patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Security patches should be applied immediately to address the underlying code issues that allow the error messages to reveal installation paths. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and access controls can prevent unauthorized users from accessing administrative components directly. The application should be configured to use secure error handling practices that do not expose sensitive system information to end users or unauthorized parties. Network segmentation and firewall rules can also provide additional protection by limiting access to administrative components and reducing the attack surface. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that may exist within the application's codebase, ensuring that error handling mechanisms are properly implemented and do not inadvertently expose system information that could be exploited by threat actors.