CVE-2011-3804 in SweetRice
Summary
by MITRE
SweetRice 0.7.1 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 _plugin/tiny_mce/plugins/advimage/images.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3804 affects SweetRice version 0.7.1, a content management system that suffers from improper error handling mechanisms. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that exposes system internals to remote attackers through uncontrolled error messages. The issue manifests when attackers make direct requests to specific php files within the application's directory structure, particularly targeting files in the _plugin/tiny_mce/plugins/advimage/images.php path. The system's failure to properly sanitize error outputs creates a situation where installation paths become visible to unauthorized users, fundamentally compromising the system's security posture.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which defines information exposure through error messages, and demonstrates how inadequate input validation and error handling can create significant security risks. The flaw operates at the application layer where the system fails to implement proper access controls or error suppression mechanisms. When the application encounters an error during processing of the direct request, it returns detailed error information including the absolute installation path, which serves as critical reconnaissance data for potential attackers. The specific file targeted in the demonstration reveals that the vulnerability exists within the TinyMCE plugin's image handling functionality, indicating that the error occurs during file processing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed installation paths provide attackers with precise knowledge of the system's directory structure. This information can be leveraged for subsequent attacks including path traversal exploits, directory enumeration, and targeted attacks against specific components within the application. Attackers can use the exposed paths to craft more sophisticated attacks that exploit other vulnerabilities present in the system, as they now have detailed knowledge of the file system layout. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles by exposing internal system information that should remain confidential, creating opportunities for attackers to bypass security controls and understand the application's architecture.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive error handling procedures that suppress detailed error messages from being returned to users. The system must be configured to log detailed errors internally while displaying generic error messages to end users. Input validation should be strengthened to prevent direct file access attempts, and proper access controls should be implemented to ensure that only authorized users can access specific application components. Security headers should be configured to prevent path disclosure, and the application should be updated to a version that properly handles error conditions without exposing system paths. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack, as this type of information disclosure vulnerability can exist in multiple locations within complex applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege and implementing proper security configurations that align with industry standards such as those recommended by the Open Web Application Security Project.