CVE-2013-4097 in Authentication Server
Summary
by MITRE
ServerAdmin/TestDRConnection.jsp in DS3 Authentication Server allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request, which reveals the installation path in a -REG-E-OPEN error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4097 resides within the DS3 Authentication Server's ServerAdmin/TestDRConnection.jsp component, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes system internals to remote attackers. This weakness enables unauthorized individuals to gain knowledge about the server's installation path through a simple direct request mechanism, fundamentally compromising the system's security posture by revealing sensitive operational details that should remain confidential. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the error message handling process where the -REG-E-OPEN error message inadvertently includes the absolute installation path of the application, creating a direct avenue for attackers to map the server's file structure and potentially identify other exploitable components within the same environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a straightforward pattern where remote attackers can craft specific requests to the TestDRConnection.jsp endpoint to trigger the error message generation. This error handling mechanism fails to sanitize or filter the installation path information before displaying it in the error response, creating an information disclosure vector that aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses the exposure of error messages containing sensitive information. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient error handling and output sanitization, where the system's defensive mechanisms fail to prevent the leakage of internal system details that could significantly aid in subsequent attack phases.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed installation path provides attackers with crucial intelligence for planning more sophisticated attacks. Knowledge of the server's file structure enables threat actors to identify potential attack vectors such as directory traversal vulnerabilities, file inclusion flaws, or other system misconfigurations that might exist within the same application environment. This information disclosure weakness directly supports tactics outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the T1083 technique for discovering system information, allowing adversaries to build comprehensive reconnaissance profiles of the target system. The exposure of the installation path also facilitates further enumeration activities that could lead to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4097 should focus on implementing proper error handling mechanisms that prevent sensitive information leakage while maintaining system functionality. Organizations must ensure that error messages are properly sanitized and that system internals such as installation paths are never exposed to end users or external entities. The recommended approach includes implementing generic error responses that do not contain specific system details, logging detailed error information internally for administrators while displaying user-friendly messages to end users. Security configurations should also include input validation and output filtering mechanisms to prevent the propagation of sensitive data through error handling routines, aligning with the principle of least privilege and defense in depth strategies. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the authentication server and prevent similar information disclosure scenarios from occurring in the future.