CVE-2011-3784 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
Francisco Burzi PHP-Nuke 8.0 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 themes/Odyssey/theme.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-3784 represents a classic information disclosure flaw affecting Francisco Burzi PHP-Nuke version 8.0. This security weakness stems from the application's improper handling of error messages during file processing, specifically when direct requests are made to php files within the application's directory structure. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to gain knowledge of the system's installation path through error messages generated by the web server when processing requests to specific files such as themes/Odyssey/theme.php and similar components within the application's file hierarchy.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the web application's failure to sanitize or properly handle error conditions that occur when accessing files directly through the browser. When an attacker makes a direct request to these php files, the application generates error messages that inadvertently expose the full server path where PHP-Nuke is installed. This occurs because the application does not properly validate input or handle exceptions, leading to the disclosure of sensitive system information through error output. The vulnerability specifically targets the themes directory structure, indicating that the flaw is related to how the application processes theme-related files and handles potential missing or invalid file references.
From an operational impact perspective, this information disclosure vulnerability poses significant risks to system security and can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. The exposed installation paths provide attackers with crucial information that can be used for further exploitation attempts, including directory traversal attacks, file inclusion vulnerabilities, or targeted attacks against specific system components. The disclosure of the installation path removes an important layer of obscurity that would otherwise make it more difficult for attackers to understand the system's architecture and locate potential attack vectors. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as it provides unauthorized access to system information that should remain hidden from external parties.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the improper handling of information exposure vulnerabilities, and represents a clear violation of the principle of information hiding in software security design. From an attacker's perspective, this flaw maps to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the reconnaissance phase, specifically the information gathering tactics that precede more destructive attacks. The vulnerability also relates to the broader category of path traversal and file inclusion issues that frequently appear in web application security assessments, making it a common target for automated scanning tools and manual security testing efforts. Organizations should implement proper error handling mechanisms, disable detailed error messages in production environments, and ensure that sensitive system information is not exposed through application output to prevent exploitation of this type of vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper error handling procedures that prevent the disclosure of system paths in error messages, configuring web servers to suppress detailed error information, and applying the latest security patches from the vendor. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities, implement web application firewalls, and ensure that sensitive directories are properly protected through access controls and authentication mechanisms. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to verify that error messages no longer reveal installation paths or other sensitive system information.