CVE-2011-3786 in PHProjekt
Summary
by MITRE
PHProjekt 6.0.5 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 Setup/Controllers/IndexController.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3786 affects PHProjekt version 6.0.5, a web-based project management application that exposes sensitive system information through improper error handling mechanisms. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that can significantly impact the security posture of affected systems. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize error messages, allowing attackers to extract sensitive installation paths through direct requests to specific php files. When an attacker makes a direct request to Setup/Controllers/IndexController.php or similar files, the application returns detailed error messages containing the full installation path on the server filesystem. This type of information disclosure creates a substantial risk for attackers who can leverage the exposed path information for further exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's error handling routine which does not adequately filter or sanitize error output before presenting it to users. When PHProjekt encounters an error during the processing of a direct request to a setup controller, it generates an error message that includes the complete file path where the application is installed on the server. This occurs because the application's configuration does not properly suppress detailed error messages in production environments, and the error reporting mechanism is configured to display full stack traces including file system paths. The vulnerability specifically affects the setup controllers and related components within the application's directory structure, making it particularly dangerous for attackers who can use the exposed paths to understand the application's internal architecture and potentially identify other attack vectors.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates multiple security risks that can be exploited by threat actors to gain deeper insights into the target environment. The disclosed installation paths can be used by attackers to understand the application's directory structure, which may reveal the presence of other sensitive files or directories that could be targeted in subsequent attacks. This information disclosure can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as path traversal exploits or help attackers craft more effective payloads for other vulnerabilities. The exposure of the installation path also violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as it provides attackers with information that should remain confidential. According to CWE-200, this vulnerability falls under the category of "Information Exposure" where sensitive information is disclosed to unauthorized actors, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 which covers "File and Directory Discovery" as attackers can use this information to map the target system's file structure.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on proper error handling configuration and security hardening of the PHProjekt application. Organizations should ensure that error messages are properly sanitized and that detailed technical information is not exposed to end users in production environments. This includes configuring the application to display generic error messages to users while logging detailed technical information securely for administrators. The recommended approach involves modifying the application's error reporting settings to suppress file path information and stack traces in user-facing error messages. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and access controls can prevent unauthorized direct requests to sensitive controller files. Security hardening measures should include disabling debug modes in production environments and ensuring that all error handling routines are properly configured to prevent information leakage. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter potentially malicious requests that attempt to access sensitive application components directly.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper error handling in web applications and highlights how seemingly minor configuration issues can create significant security risks. This type of information disclosure can serve as a stepping stone for more serious attacks, making it essential for organizations to maintain proper security configurations and regularly audit their applications for similar vulnerabilities. The exposure of installation paths can be particularly damaging in environments where multiple applications share similar directory structures or when the exposed paths reveal information about the underlying operating system or server configuration. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include checks for information disclosure vulnerabilities to ensure that applications are properly configured to prevent such exposures in production environments.