CVE-2014-5107 in concrete5
Summary
by MITRE
concrete5 before 5.6.3 allows remote attackers to obtain the installation path via a direct request to (1) system/basics/editor.php, (2) system/view.php, (3) system/environment/file_storage_locations.php, (4) system/mail/importers.php, (5) system/mail/method.php, (6) system/permissions/file_types.php, (7) system/permissions/files.php, (8) system/permissions/tasks.php, (9) system/permissions/users.php, (10) system/seo/view.php, (11) view.php, (12) users/attributes.php, (13) scrapbook/view.php, (14) pages/attributes.php, (15) files/attributes.php, or (16) files/search.php in single_pages/dashboard/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5107 represents a critical information disclosure flaw in concrete5 CMS versions prior to 5.6.3. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive installation path information through direct requests to multiple system endpoint files. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the application's file structure, specifically targeting files that are typically accessed through the CMS's administrative dashboard or system components. The affected files span across various functional areas of the CMS including editor components, file storage management, mail configuration, permission settings, and SEO tools, indicating a systemic weakness in the application's path resolution and access control implementation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker makes direct HTTP requests to specific system files within the concrete5 installation directory. These files are designed to be accessed through the CMS's internal routing mechanisms but can be reached directly due to missing authentication checks and path validation. When accessed directly, these files reveal the absolute installation path of the concrete5 application, which provides attackers with crucial system information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects multiple endpoints including system/basics/editor.php, system/view.php, and various permission and configuration files within the single_pages/dashboard/ directory structure. This information disclosure could expose the exact filesystem location where concrete5 is installed, potentially revealing directory structures, file permissions, and other system-specific details that aid in subsequent attack phases.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked installation paths can significantly aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks. Knowledge of the absolute file paths enables attackers to craft more precise exploitation techniques, potentially leading to directory traversal attacks, local file inclusion vulnerabilities, or other path-based exploits. The vulnerability affects the core security posture of concrete5 installations by exposing system internals that should remain hidden from unauthorized users. This information disclosure aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic example of how insufficient access controls can lead to privilege escalation through information gathering. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in environments where concrete5 is deployed in production systems with sensitive data, as the leaked paths could provide attackers with detailed knowledge of the application's architecture and deployment configuration.
Organizations affected by CVE-2014-5107 should immediately upgrade to concrete5 version 5.6.3 or later, which includes patches addressing this information disclosure vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing proper access controls for system files and ensuring that all internal endpoints are properly protected against direct access attempts. Security administrators should also review their web server configurations to prevent access to sensitive system files and implement web application firewalls that can detect and block direct access attempts to known vulnerable endpoints. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's techniques for privilege escalation and reconnaissance activities. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that system components are not accessible through unintended paths, and that proper authentication mechanisms are in place to prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions and system configuration files. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts targeting CMS installations.