CVE-2011-3808 in The Bug Genie
Summary
by MITRE
The Bug Genie 2.1.2 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 modules/svn_integration/config.inc.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3808 affects The Bug Genie version 2.1.2, a web-based issue tracking and project management system. This flaw represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers through improper error handling mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically manifests when users make direct requests to php files within the application's directory structure, particularly targeting configuration files that contain installation path information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize error messages and handle direct file access attempts. When an attacker accesses specific php files such as modules/svn_integration/config.inc.php or other related configuration files directly through a web browser or automated tool, the application generates error messages that inadvertently reveal the complete server path where The Bug Genie is installed. This type of information disclosure occurs because the application does not implement proper access controls or error handling that would prevent direct file execution and subsequent path exposure.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations using The Bug Genie 2.1.2. The exposed installation paths provide attackers with crucial information that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts. Attackers can use the revealed paths to craft more targeted attacks, understand the application's directory structure, and potentially identify other vulnerabilities that may exist within the system. The information disclosure can also aid in fingerprinting the target environment and building a more comprehensive attack strategy. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic example of how poor error handling can lead to information disclosure.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple path exposure, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The revealed installation paths may contain sensitive information about the server environment, including operating system details, file permissions, and potentially other configuration elements that could aid in privilege escalation or lateral movement within a network. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in web applications. The flaw also relates to ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovering file and directory permissions, as the exposed paths provide detailed information about the application's filesystem structure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to a patched version of The Bug Genie, implementing proper access controls for configuration files, and configuring web servers to prevent direct access to sensitive php files. Additional defensive measures should include implementing web application firewalls, configuring error handling to prevent path disclosure, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing proper security configurations to prevent attackers from gaining footholds through seemingly minor flaws in application design.