CVE-2011-3822 in XOOPS
Summary
by MITRE
XOOPS 2.5.0 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/system/xoops_version.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3822 affects XOOPS version 2.5.0, a popular content management system and web application framework. This issue represents a sensitive data exposure vulnerability that occurs when the application fails to properly handle error conditions during file access requests. The flaw specifically manifests when remote attackers can directly access php files within the system, particularly targeting modules/system/xoops_version.php and similar components. When such direct requests are made, the application generates error messages that inadvertently disclose the absolute installation path of the XOOPS system on the server filesystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which catalogs weaknesses related to exposure of sensitive information. This particular flaw demonstrates poor error handling practices where the application does not sanitize or suppress error messages that contain system-specific information. The disclosure of installation paths constitutes a significant security risk as it provides attackers with critical system information that could be leveraged in subsequent attack phases. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication or privileged access to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be discovered and utilized by any remote attacker.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for XOOPS installations as it enables attackers to map the server structure and understand the deployment environment. The disclosed installation paths can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as directory traversal attempts, file inclusion exploits, or targeted attacks against specific system components. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as it provides unintended information disclosure that could be used to bypass other security controls. Organizations running affected versions of XOOPS face increased risk of successful compromise, as the leaked information significantly reduces the attack surface complexity for malicious actors.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability involve implementing proper error handling mechanisms that prevent sensitive information disclosure in error messages. System administrators should ensure that all error responses are generic and do not contain system-specific paths or configuration details. The application should be configured to suppress detailed error messages in production environments and instead log them securely for administrative review. Additionally, implementing proper access controls to prevent direct access to system files and directories would significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider applying the official patches released by the XOOPS development team, which address this specific error handling issue. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications, as this type of information disclosure flaw frequently occurs in web applications that do not properly sanitize error conditions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a reconnaissance technique under information gathering, where attackers seek to understand system configurations and structures before launching more targeted attacks.