CVE-2011-3788 in PhpSecInfo
Summary
by MITRE
PhpSecInfo 0.2.1 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 Test/Test_Suhosin.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3788 affects PhpSecInfo version 0.2.1, a security auditing tool designed to assess php.ini configuration settings and identify potential security weaknesses in php applications. This particular flaw represents a sensitive data exposure issue that occurs when the application fails to properly handle error conditions during direct file access attempts. The vulnerability manifests when attackers can directly request specific php files within the PhpSecInfo installation, particularly targeting files such as Test/Test_Suhosin.php, which trigger error messages containing the full installation path of the application. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The flaw demonstrates a critical weakness in the application's error handling mechanisms, where the system does not properly sanitize or control the information returned in error responses, inadvertently providing attackers with valuable reconnaissance data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's lack of proper access control and error management within its test suite components. When a direct request is made to vulnerable php files, the application executes without proper authentication checks or input validation, leading to the execution of code that generates error messages containing the absolute file path of the PhpSecInfo installation. This occurs because the testing framework within PhpSecInfo does not adequately isolate or secure its internal test files from direct web access, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can probe for specific file paths. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it provides attackers with precise directory structures and installation locations, which can serve as foundational information for more sophisticated attacks. The error messages typically contain full system paths that may include server root directories, application folders, and potentially sensitive configuration paths that could be leveraged in subsequent exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly weakens the overall security posture of systems running vulnerable versions of PhpSecInfo. Attackers who discover the installation path can use this information to plan more targeted attacks, potentially combining it with other reconnaissance data to identify additional vulnerabilities within the same system. The exposure of installation paths can also reveal information about the underlying server environment, including operating system specifics, directory naming conventions, and potentially even version information about the php installation itself. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of system information through direct file access, and demonstrates how seemingly benign security tools can become attack vectors when not properly configured or secured. Organizations using affected versions of PhpSecInfo may inadvertently expose critical infrastructure information that could be used to tailor attacks against the broader system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments where such tools are deployed for security auditing purposes.
The recommended mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper access controls and error handling within the PhpSecInfo application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of PhpSecInfo that addresses this information disclosure flaw, as the vulnerability cannot be effectively mitigated through configuration changes alone. The application should be configured to prevent direct access to test files and internal components through web server configuration, ensuring that only authorized users can access the application's core functionality. Additionally, administrators should implement proper error handling that does not expose sensitive system information in error messages, following security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards. Regular security assessments should include verification that security tools are properly isolated from direct web access and that error messages do not reveal installation paths or other sensitive system information. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of applying security patches promptly and maintaining awareness of the security posture of all tools deployed within production environments, as even security auditing tools can become attack vectors if not properly secured.