CVE-2011-3829 in Support Incident Tracker
Summary
by MITRE
ftp_upload_file.php in Support Incident Tracker (aka SiT!) 3.65 allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information via the file name, which reveals the installation path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3829 affects Support Incident Tracker version 3.65 and resides within the ftp_upload_file.php component of the application. This represents a classic information disclosure flaw that occurs when an application inadvertently reveals sensitive system information through error messages. The vulnerability specifically manifests when remote authenticated users interact with the file upload functionality, where the application fails to properly sanitize or validate file names before processing them. When malformed or malicious file names are submitted, the system generates error messages that contain the absolute installation path of the SiT! application on the server filesystem.
This type of information disclosure vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which describes the improper handling of exceptions or errors that may lead to the exposure of sensitive information. The flaw represents a direct violation of secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the issue of information leakage through error handling mechanisms. The exposure of installation paths provides attackers with critical system information that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that legitimate users with valid credentials can exploit this weakness without requiring additional privileges or complex attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed installation path can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can use the disclosed path to understand the application's directory structure, potentially identifying other sensitive files or directories that might be accessible through the same attack surface. This information can facilitate path traversal attacks, directory listing enumeration, or help attackers craft more targeted payloads for subsequent exploitation. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles of defense in depth, as it provides attackers with internal system knowledge that should remain hidden from external parties. From an attacker's perspective, this information disclosure can be categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of system information through enumeration and reconnaissance activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on proper error handling and input validation within the ftp_upload_file.php component. The application should implement comprehensive sanitization of all user-supplied file names before processing them, ensuring that no system-specific information is exposed in error messages. Error handling should be designed to provide generic messages to users while logging detailed technical information securely for administrators. The fix should involve modifying the error reporting mechanism to strip or obfuscate any path information from error messages, implementing proper logging procedures that capture sensitive details without exposing them to end users. Additionally, the application should validate file names against a strict whitelist of acceptable characters and patterns to prevent malicious inputs from triggering the vulnerability. Regular security code reviews and automated static analysis should be implemented to prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of the application or future versions.