CVE-2011-3797 in ProjectPier
Summary
by MITRE
ProjectPier 0.8.0.3 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 public/upgrade/templates/layout.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3797 affects ProjectPier version 0.8.0.3, a web-based project management application that suffered from improper error handling mechanisms. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability where the application fails to properly sanitize error messages returned to remote attackers, inadvertently exposing critical system information through direct file access attempts. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers make direct requests to php files within the application's directory structure, particularly targeting files in the public/upgrade/templates/ directory path.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a simple yet effective method of requesting specific php files directly through the web browser or automated tools. When the application processes these direct requests to files such as layout.php and other related php components, it generates error messages that contain the absolute installation path of the ProjectPier application on the server. This path disclosure represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with precise information about the server's file structure and deployment environment. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and specifically aligns with CWE-427 which addresses "Uncontrolled Search Path Element" in the context of path traversal attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations utilizing ProjectPier 0.8.0.3 as it enables attackers to gather reconnaissance information that could facilitate subsequent attacks. The disclosed installation path can be used to identify the exact server location, potentially revealing the operating system, web server configuration, and other environmental details that attackers might leverage for privilege escalation or further exploitation. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it provides attackers with a foundation for more sophisticated attacks targeting the specific server environment where ProjectPier is installed. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal effort to exploit and can be automated through common penetration testing tools.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3797 should focus on implementing proper error handling and input validation mechanisms within the ProjectPier application. Organizations should ensure that all php files properly handle direct access attempts by implementing access control checks and returning generic error messages instead of system-specific information. The recommended approach involves modifying the application's configuration to suppress detailed error messages and implement proper authentication checks before allowing access to sensitive files. Additionally, the application should be upgraded to a newer version of ProjectPier that addresses this vulnerability through improved error handling mechanisms. Security practitioners should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to the ATT&CK framework's T1083 technique for discovering system information, which attackers can use to plan more targeted attacks against the disclosed system environment.