CVE-2011-3799 in ReOS
Summary
by MITRE
ReOS 2.0.5 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 padmin/blocks/vergal.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-3799 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within ReOS 2.0.5, a content management system that was widely deployed in web environments during the early 2010s. This vulnerability stems from improper error handling mechanisms that expose sensitive system information to unauthorized remote attackers through direct access to specific php files within the application's directory structure. The flaw specifically manifests when attackers make direct requests to files such as padmin/blocks/vergal.php and similar components, causing the system to return detailed error messages containing the absolute installation path of the web application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure flaws that occur when applications inadvertently reveal sensitive information to unauthorized users. The vulnerability operates through a classic path disclosure attack vector where the application's error handling routine fails to sanitize or mask the complete file system path when processing malformed requests or accessing non-existent resources. This occurs because the system's php configuration or application code lacks proper error suppression mechanisms that would prevent the exposure of internal file paths during runtime exceptions. The affected files within the padmin/blocks directory structure suggest that this vulnerability is particularly prevalent in administrative components of the system, where error handling may be less robust than in public-facing sections.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations utilizing ReOS 2.0.5, as it provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance information that can be leveraged for subsequent exploitation attempts. The disclosed installation path enables threat actors to construct more targeted attacks, potentially identifying system-specific configurations, file locations, and directory structures that could aid in privilege escalation or further exploitation. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file system discovery, as the exposed paths directly reveal the underlying system architecture. This information disclosure can serve as a foundation for advanced persistent threats, where attackers use the exposed paths to map out the application's internal structure and identify potential attack vectors. Additionally, the vulnerability may facilitate path traversal attacks, as attackers can now construct more precise malicious requests targeting specific directories within the application's file system hierarchy.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3799 should focus on implementing proper error handling mechanisms and input validation throughout the application's codebase. Organizations should configure their php environments to suppress detailed error messages and instead display generic error pages to users while logging detailed errors internally for administrative review. The implementation of proper access controls for administrative directories such as padmin/blocks should be enforced through authentication mechanisms and directory permissions. Furthermore, the application should be updated to a patched version that addresses the root cause of the vulnerability, as the original ReOS 2.0.5 version is no longer supported and likely contains additional unpatched security flaws. Security professionals should also implement web application firewalls to monitor and block direct requests to sensitive php files and conduct regular security audits to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities within the application's codebase. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper error handling as outlined in industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten, where information disclosure ranks among the critical security risks that organizations must address to maintain secure application environments.