CVE-2011-3810 in TinyWebGallery
Summary
by MITRE
TinyWebGallery (TWG) 1.8.3 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 i_frames/i_register.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2019
CVE-2011-3810 represents a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability within TinyWebGallery version 1.8.3 that exposes installation paths through improper error handling mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure flaws that can provide attackers with critical system details. The flaw manifests when remote attackers make direct requests to specific php files within the application, particularly targeting i_frames/i_register.php, which triggers error messages containing the full server path where the application is installed. Such path disclosure creates significant security implications as it provides attackers with precise knowledge of the application's file structure and deployment environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error message handling within the web application's codebase. When the targeted php file encounters an error condition during execution, it fails to sanitize or properly handle the error output, resulting in the exposure of the complete installation path. This represents a classic case of improper error handling that violates security best practices and creates a direct information leak. The vulnerability specifically affects the error reporting mechanism in TWG 1.8.3 where the application does not properly validate or sanitize inputs before generating error messages, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that trigger these unfiltered error responses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple path disclosure, as it provides attackers with foundational information needed for subsequent exploitation attempts. Once an attacker obtains the installation path, they can map the application's directory structure and potentially identify other vulnerable components or files within the system. This information can be leveraged to plan more sophisticated attacks including directory traversal, local file inclusion, or other path-based vulnerabilities. The exposure of system paths also violates the principle of least privilege by revealing internal system architecture to unauthorized users, potentially enabling attackers to craft more targeted and effective exploitation strategies.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses the disclosure of sensitive information, and demonstrates how improper error handling can lead to information leakage. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the Information Gathering phase, where adversaries collect system information to inform their attack strategies. The vulnerability also relates to the privilege escalation and lateral movement categories as the exposed paths can be used to identify other potential attack vectors within the same system. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader security posture assessment, as path disclosure often serves as a precursor to more serious exploits.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3810 require immediate implementation of proper error handling procedures within the web application. System administrators should ensure that all php files properly sanitize error messages and do not expose internal system paths in user-facing responses. The recommended approach involves implementing generic error handling routines that log detailed errors internally while displaying user-friendly messages to end users. Additionally, developers should configure their web servers to suppress detailed error messages and implement proper input validation to prevent the triggering of error conditions. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across the application codebase, and the system should be updated to the latest version of TinyWebGallery where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper error handling implementations.