CVE-2013-2565 in Mambo
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in Mambo CMS v4.6.5 where the scripts thumbs.php, editorFrame.php, editor.php, images.php, manager.php discloses the root path of the webserver.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2565 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Mambo CMS version 4.6.5 that exposes sensitive server path information through multiple script files including thumbs.php, editorFrame.php, editor.php, images.php, and manager.php. This vulnerability falls under the category of information exposure, where attackers can obtain the absolute root path of the web server through direct access to these specific PHP scripts. The disclosed information typically includes the full file system path where the CMS is installed, which can range from /var/www/html/ to more complex directory structures depending on the server configuration. Such path disclosure creates a significant security risk as it provides attackers with crucial information about the server environment and file structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker directly accesses the vulnerable PHP scripts without proper authentication or authorization. The scripts in question are part of the CMS administration and media management functionality, which are designed to handle image processing and content management tasks. When these scripts execute, they inadvertently reveal the server root path through error messages, debug output, or direct path inclusion in their responses. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-209, which specifically addresses the exposure of error information that could aid attackers in understanding the system architecture. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and error handling practices within the CMS codebase, where sensitive path information is not properly sanitized or filtered before being returned in HTTP responses.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2565 extends beyond simple path disclosure, as it provides attackers with foundational information necessary for more sophisticated attacks. With knowledge of the server root path, an attacker can potentially map the entire file system structure, identify other potentially vulnerable components, and craft more targeted attacks such as local file inclusion or directory traversal exploits. This information disclosure can be leveraged in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive files and directories. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the CMS is installed in non-standard locations or where the server configuration exposes additional sensitive information through path traversal. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) techniques, as it provides attackers with systematic access to server file structures and repository information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention and comprehensive implementation across affected systems. The primary recommendation involves patching or upgrading to a newer version of Mambo CMS that addresses this information disclosure flaw, as version 4.6.5 is no longer supported and contains multiple security vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement proper input validation and error handling mechanisms to prevent path information from being exposed in HTTP responses, ensuring that all error messages are generic and do not reveal server-specific details. Network-level mitigations include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block access to known vulnerable endpoints, while also applying proper access controls to restrict unauthorized access to administrative scripts. The implementation of proper logging and monitoring systems can help detect attempts to access these vulnerable scripts, and regular security audits should verify that no sensitive path information is being disclosed through any application components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing directory traversal protection measures and ensure that all CMS installations follow security best practices including proper file permissions, secure configuration settings, and regular security updates to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.