CVE-2011-3796 in PrestaShop
Summary
by MITRE
PrestaShop 1.4.0.6 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 product-sort.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
CVE-2011-3796 represents a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability affecting PrestaShop version 1.4.0.6 and potentially other versions within the 1.4.x series. This vulnerability stems from improper error handling mechanisms within the web application's PHP files, specifically manifesting when attackers make direct requests to certain .php files such as product-sort.php. The flaw allows remote attackers to extract sensitive system information including the absolute installation path of the PrestaShop instance through error messages generated by the application. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure, and represents a fundamental security misconfiguration that exposes system internals to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it provides attackers with critical information that can be used for subsequent exploitation attempts, including directory traversal attacks and other path-based exploits that rely on knowing the target system's file structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the web application encounters an error condition while processing requests to specific PHP files. Instead of displaying generic error messages or implementing proper error handling that masks system details, the application reveals the full installation path in the error output. This occurs because the application lacks proper input validation and error suppression mechanisms, allowing raw PHP errors to propagate to the end user. The error messages typically contain stack traces or direct path references that expose the underlying file system structure, which can include the complete directory path where PrestaShop is installed on the server. This behavior violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically the A03:2021 - Injection category, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, as attackers can leverage this information to map the target system's file structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly reduces the security posture of affected systems. Attackers who obtain the installation path can use this information to plan more sophisticated attacks, including directory traversal exploits, local file inclusion vulnerabilities, and other path-based attacks that require knowledge of the system's file structure. The exposure of the installation path also enables attackers to better understand the application's deployment environment, potentially revealing information about the hosting platform, server configuration, and other system details that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or further exploitation. Organizations running affected PrestaShop versions face increased risk of compromise, as this information disclosure can serve as a stepping stone for more serious attacks, particularly when combined with other vulnerabilities or reconnaissance data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3796 should focus on implementing proper error handling and input validation mechanisms within the PrestaShop application. System administrators should immediately upgrade to patched versions of PrestaShop, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases through improved error handling and the removal of sensitive path information from error messages. Additionally, organizations should implement proper logging and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to PHP files, and configure web servers to suppress detailed error messages in production environments. Security measures should include disabling direct access to PHP files that are not intended for public access, implementing proper input validation, and ensuring that error messages do not contain system-specific information. The solution aligns with the principle of least privilege and defense in depth as outlined in NIST SP 800-53 security controls, particularly focusing on access control and system configuration management to prevent unauthorized information disclosure that could compromise the overall security posture of the web application infrastructure.