CVE-2011-3813 in Virtual War
Summary
by MITRE
Virtual War (aka VWar) 1.5.0r15 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 includes/language/dutch.inc.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3813 affects Virtual War version 1.5.0r15, a web-based application that appears to be a gaming platform or simulation environment. This security flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive system details to unauthorized users. The issue manifests when remote attackers can directly access php files within the application's directory structure, specifically targeting files such as includes/language/dutch.inc.php and similar components. When these files are accessed directly rather than through the proper application interface, they generate error messages containing the complete installation path of the web application on the server filesystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes information exposure through error messages, and represents a fundamental misconfiguration in the application's access control mechanisms. The flaw occurs because the application fails to properly validate or restrict direct access to its internal php files, allowing attackers to bypass normal application flow and directly request components that should only be accessible through legitimate application processes. This misconfiguration creates an information disclosure scenario where the absolute file paths of the installation are revealed in error messages, providing attackers with critical system information that could be used for further exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed installation paths can serve as valuable intelligence for attackers planning more sophisticated attacks. Knowledge of the exact file structure and directory layout enables attackers to craft more targeted payloads, potentially leading to directory traversal attacks, arbitrary file inclusion, or other file system exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects the application's security posture by reducing the attack surface complexity for potential adversaries who can now map the application's internal structure without proper authentication or authorization. This information disclosure weakness also violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as the application should not reveal internal system details to unauthorized parties.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and input validation mechanisms. The primary recommendation involves configuring the web server to restrict direct access to php files within the application's directory structure, typically through .htaccess files or server configuration directives that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive components. Additionally, the application should implement proper error handling that does not expose system paths or internal file structures in error messages. Security measures should include validating all incoming requests to ensure they pass through the application's legitimate entry points rather than allowing direct access to internal components. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect similar misconfigurations in other applications within their infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper application hardening and the need for comprehensive security testing to identify and remediate information disclosure flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors.