CVE-2011-3814 in WebCalendar
Summary
by MITRE
WebCalendar 1.2.3, and other versions before 1.2.5, 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 ws/user_mod.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3814 affects WebCalendar versions 1.2.3 and earlier, specifically exposing installation path information through error messages generated by direct requests to php files. This represents a classic information disclosure flaw that can provide attackers with critical system details necessary for further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability manifests when users make direct requests to specific php files such as ws/user_mod.php, which trigger error messages containing the absolute installation path of the WebCalendar application. This type of information disclosure can significantly aid threat actors in understanding the target environment and planning subsequent attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure flaws where sensitive information is unintentionally revealed to unauthorized parties. The flaw occurs due to insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms within the WebCalendar application's php files. When these files are accessed directly without proper authentication or validation, they generate error messages that contain the full server path where the application is installed. This exposure of installation paths can be leveraged by attackers to understand the system architecture and potentially identify other vulnerabilities through path-based reconnaissance.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for WebCalendar installations as it provides attackers with the exact location of the application on the server filesystem. The disclosed installation paths can be used to craft more sophisticated attacks, such as path traversal exploits, or to identify potential weaknesses in the server configuration. Attackers can use this information to understand file permissions, directory structures, and potentially locate other sensitive files or applications running on the same server. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles by exposing internal system details that should remain hidden from external entities.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is relatively narrow but effective, as it requires only that an attacker be able to make direct requests to php files within the WebCalendar installation directory. The fact that this issue affects versions prior to 1.2.5 indicates that it was likely a known problem that was addressed in subsequent releases, suggesting that proper error handling and input validation were implemented to prevent path disclosure. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly under the reconnaissance phase where threat actors gather information about target systems. The vulnerability can be categorized as part of the credential access and defense evasion tactics where attackers use information disclosure to facilitate further compromise of the system. Mitigation efforts should focus on implementing proper error handling mechanisms, restricting direct access to php files, and ensuring that all error messages are sanitized to prevent path disclosure. The most effective solution involves updating to WebCalendar version 1.2.5 or later, where the vulnerability has been patched, along with implementing proper access controls and input validation measures to prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications.