CVE-2011-3785 in PHP Point Of Sale
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Point Of Sale (POS) 10.7 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 system/scaffolding/views/view.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3785 affects PHP Point Of Sale version 10.7, representing a sensitive information disclosure issue that exposes installation paths through direct file access. This flaw resides in the application's error handling mechanism where specific .php files fail to properly sanitize error messages, inadvertently revealing critical system information to remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers make direct requests to certain php files within the application's directory structure, including system/scaffolding/views/view.php and similar components. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal technical skill to exploit, making it a significant security risk for organizations relying on the affected POS system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling practices within the PHP Point Of Sale application. When users or attackers access specific .php files directly, the application does not properly manage error conditions, resulting in error messages that contain the full system path where the application is installed. This occurs because the application's error reporting mechanism lacks proper sanitization of output, allowing raw system information to be exposed through error messages. The flaw demonstrates poor security coding practices and violates fundamental principles of secure software development, particularly in how error conditions are handled. From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability provides attackers with critical information that can be used for further exploitation attempts, including path traversal attacks, local file inclusion vulnerabilities, or other directory traversal exploits that rely on knowing the exact installation paths.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3785 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed installation paths can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. Attackers can leverage this information to craft targeted attacks against the specific system configuration, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data breaches, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability creates an attack surface that allows adversaries to map the application's internal structure and identify potential weaknesses in the system architecture. Organizations using the affected POS system face increased risk of unauthorized access, especially when the revealed paths contain sensitive information about the underlying operating system, database configurations, or other system components. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in retail environments where POS systems often contain sensitive customer data, transaction records, and financial information that makes them attractive targets for cybercriminals.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3785 should focus on implementing proper error handling and input validation mechanisms within the application. Organizations should ensure that error messages do not contain system path information or other sensitive details that could aid attackers in their exploitation efforts. The recommended approach includes configuring the application to display generic error messages to end users while logging detailed technical information internally for administrators. Security hardening measures should also involve disabling direct access to system files and implementing proper access controls to prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive components. Additionally, the application should be updated to a version that addresses this vulnerability, as the affected PHP Point Of Sale 10.7 version contains known security flaws that require immediate remediation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect suspicious access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with defensive strategies outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for credential access and defense evasion techniques. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure proper error handling practices are maintained throughout the software development lifecycle.