CVE-2011-3794 in Pligg
Summary
by MITRE
Pligg CMS 1.1.3 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 widgets/statistics/init.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3794 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Pligg CMS version 1.1.3 that exposes installation paths through error messages generated by direct file access. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper error handling and information exposure, which aligns with CWE-209 and CWE-497. The flaw specifically affects the content management system's error reporting mechanism, where direct requests to certain php files trigger error messages containing sensitive path information that should remain hidden from unauthorized users. Attackers can exploit this weakness by making direct requests to files such as widgets/statistics/init.php and other related components within the CMS structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker accesses specific php files directly through the web browser or automated tools without proper authentication or authorization. When these files encounter errors during execution, the system's default error handling mechanism reveals the complete installation path of the CMS installation on the server filesystem. This information disclosure represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with crucial system information that can be used for further exploitation attempts. The exposed paths typically include full directory structures that reveal the underlying server architecture, potentially exposing the web root directory, database configuration locations, and other sensitive system components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. An attacker who gains access to the installation path can use this information to better understand the server configuration, potentially identifying weak points in the overall system architecture. This vulnerability specifically relates to the ATT&CK technique T1212 - Exploitation for Credential Access, as the disclosed information can be leveraged to craft more targeted attacks against the system. Additionally, the exposure of path information can facilitate path traversal attacks and other exploitation techniques that rely on knowledge of the system's file structure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3794 require immediate implementation of proper error handling mechanisms within the Pligg CMS installation. System administrators should configure the web server to suppress detailed error messages and implement custom error pages that do not reveal system information. The recommended approach includes modifying the php configuration to disable error display in production environments and implementing proper logging mechanisms that capture errors without exposing sensitive information. Security patches for Pligg CMS version 1.1.3 should be applied immediately to address this vulnerability, as the issue affects core system functionality. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block direct file access attempts, and establish monitoring procedures to identify potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive security audits of all php files to ensure that no other similar information disclosure vulnerabilities exist within the system.