CVE-2011-3803 in SugarCRM
Summary
by MITRE
SugarCRM 6.1.0 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 themes/Sugar5/layout_utils.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3803 affects SugarCRM version 6.1.0 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability stems from improper error handling mechanisms within the application's file processing logic, specifically when handling direct requests to php files. The flaw allows malicious actors to obtain the absolute installation path of the SugarCRM system through crafted requests to specific php files, creating a significant security risk that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when SugarCRM processes direct requests to php files without proper input validation or error handling. When attackers make requests to files such as themes/Sugar5/layout_utils.php or similar components, the application fails to sanitize error responses and instead returns detailed error messages containing the full system path. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as the application inadvertently provides attackers with critical infrastructure information that should remain hidden from external parties. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure issues where sensitive information is disclosed to unauthorized actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed installation paths can serve as crucial reconnaissance data for attackers planning more sophisticated attacks. With knowledge of the system's file structure and installation location, threat actors can better understand the application's architecture and potentially identify other vulnerable components or misconfigurations. This information can be combined with other reconnaissance techniques to map the entire system landscape, making subsequent exploitation attempts significantly more effective. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security hygiene in the application's error handling design, which can be exploited in conjunction with other weaknesses to compromise the entire system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3803 should focus on implementing proper error handling mechanisms that prevent sensitive information disclosure. Organizations should ensure that all php files implement robust input validation and that error messages do not contain system paths or other sensitive details. The recommended approach includes configuring the web server to suppress detailed error messages and implementing custom error handlers that provide generic responses to malformed requests. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovery of system information through reconnaissance activities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious requests to prevent exploitation attempts targeting this type of information disclosure vulnerability.