CVE-2011-3826 in Zikula
Summary
by MITRE
Zikula 1.2.4 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 themes/voodoodolly/version.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-3826 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Zikula content management system version 1.2.4. This vulnerability stems from improper error handling mechanisms that expose sensitive system information through error messages generated during direct file access attempts. The flaw specifically affects the system's response to unauthorized or malformed requests for php files, particularly those within the themes directory such as themes/voodoodolly/version.php, where the application fails to properly sanitize error outputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit direct requests to specific php files within the Zikula installation. The system's inadequate error handling causes it to return detailed error messages that include the full installation path of the application on the server. This occurs because the application does not properly validate or sanitize inputs before generating error responses, allowing attackers to extract path information that could be used for subsequent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects core system files and demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper input validation and error message sanitization.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly compromises the security posture of affected systems by providing attackers with critical path information that can be leveraged for further attacks. The exposure of installation paths enables attackers to craft more sophisticated exploitation techniques, including directory traversal attacks, path-based privilege escalation attempts, and targeted exploitation of other vulnerabilities that may exist within the same installation. This information disclosure can also aid in fingerprinting the target system and understanding its architecture, potentially leading to more comprehensive compromise scenarios. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by exposing sensitive system information that should remain private.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure," and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-497, "Exposure of Sensitive System Information to an Unauthorized Actor." From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083, "File and Directory Discovery," and T1592, "Get Technical Information," as it provides attackers with system path information that can be used for reconnaissance activities. The flaw also connects to T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," since path information can be used to craft more effective exploitation techniques against the target system.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including proper input validation for all file access requests, implementation of generic error messages that do not reveal system paths, and configuration of the web server to prevent direct access to sensitive php files. The recommended approach involves configuring the application to return standardized error responses regardless of the type of request or the file being accessed. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and file permissions can prevent unauthorized direct access to sensitive files. System administrators should also consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious direct file access patterns, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper error handling practices and input sanitization in web applications, particularly those handling user requests directly.