CVE-2011-3791 in Piwik
Summary
by MITRE
Piwik 1.1 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 plugins/Widgetize/Widgetize.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3791 affects Piwik version 1.1 and represents a sensitive information disclosure flaw that exposes installation paths through error messages generated by direct requests to php files. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure weaknesses that can provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data for subsequent attacks. The specific manifestation occurs when attackers make direct requests to php files within the Piwik installation, particularly targeting files such as plugins/Widgetize/Widgetize.php and other related components. The error messages returned by the application contain the full installation path of the Piwik instance, which can be leveraged by threat actors to understand the system architecture and potentially identify additional attack vectors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling within the Piwik application's file processing mechanisms. When a direct request is made to a php file without proper validation or sanitization, the application fails to suppress or properly format error messages that inadvertently reveal system paths. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-200, which represents "Information Exposure," and specifically aligns with CWE-547, "Use of Hard-coded Credentials" and CWE-312, "Sensitive Information Exposure." The flaw demonstrates a lack of proper input validation and error handling practices that are fundamental to secure application development. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple web requests without requiring authentication or specialized tools.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly impacts the security posture of affected Piwik installations by providing attackers with precise installation path information that can be used for further exploitation attempts. The exposure of the installation path enables threat actors to craft more targeted attacks, potentially leading to directory traversal, remote code execution, or other advanced exploitation techniques. The vulnerability can be leveraged as part of a broader reconnaissance phase where attackers gather system information before launching more sophisticated attacks. This information disclosure can also aid in fingerprinting the application version and potentially identifying other vulnerabilities within the same system or related components. The impact is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by any remote attacker without requiring authentication, making it a high-severity issue for organizations using vulnerable Piwik installations.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include implementing proper error handling mechanisms that prevent sensitive information from being exposed in error messages, applying the latest security patches and updates from Piwik, and configuring the application to suppress detailed error information in production environments. Organizations should also implement input validation controls to ensure that direct requests to php files are properly handled and validated. The mitigation strategy should include configuring web server settings to prevent direct access to sensitive php files and implementing proper logging mechanisms to detect and respond to suspicious access patterns. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege, where error messages should never reveal system paths or other sensitive information. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities by restricting access to sensitive application components and reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries.