CVE-2018-16977 in Monstra
Summary
by MITRE
Monstra CMS V3.0.4 has an information leakage risk (e.g., PATH, DOCUMENT_ROOT, and SERVER_ADMIN) in libraries/Gelato/ErrorHandler/Resources/Views/Errors/exception.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16977 affects Monstra CMS version 3.0.4 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the error handling mechanism of the content management system. This vulnerability exists in the exception.php file located within the libraries/Gelato/ErrorHandler/Resources/Views/Errors/ directory structure, where sensitive server configuration data becomes exposed to unauthorized parties. The flaw manifests when the application encounters an exception or error condition, triggering the display of error pages that inadvertently reveal crucial system information including the absolute file path, document root directory, and server administrator contact details.
This information leakage vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-200 - Information Exposure, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to gain insights into the underlying system architecture. The exposure of PATH information provides adversaries with knowledge of the exact directory structure on the server, enabling them to craft more targeted attacks against specific file locations or to identify potential file inclusion vulnerabilities. The DOCUMENT_ROOT disclosure reveals the primary web directory where the CMS is installed, which can be leveraged to understand the broader server configuration and potentially identify other web applications or sensitive directories within the same root structure. Additionally, the SERVER_ADMIN information exposes administrative contact details that could be used for social engineering attacks or to gather intelligence about the system administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly weakens the overall security posture of the affected system. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can use the leaked information to perform more sophisticated attacks including directory traversal attempts, file inclusion exploits, or targeted reconnaissance against the hosting environment. The vulnerability essentially provides an attacker with a roadmap of the server infrastructure, making subsequent exploitation attempts much more likely to succeed. This type of information leakage can be particularly dangerous when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the affected system is part of a larger network infrastructure where the leaked information could be used to map out additional targets or identify potential lateral movement opportunities.
From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Information Gathering phase, specifically targeting the collection of system information as a precursor to more advanced attacks. The exposure of server configuration details provides attackers with the foundational knowledge needed to conduct more targeted and effective penetration testing or exploitation activities. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of poor input validation and error handling practices, where the application fails to sanitize error outputs before displaying them to users. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a fundamental design flaw in the error handling mechanism that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information, ultimately compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the affected CMS installation.
The recommended mitigation strategies include implementing proper error handling that does not expose internal system information to end users, configuring the application to display generic error messages instead of detailed technical information, and ensuring that all error output is properly sanitized before rendering. Additionally, system administrators should update to the latest version of Monstra CMS where this vulnerability has been addressed, implement proper access controls to limit who can view error logs, and consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block attempts to access sensitive error pages. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in other components of the system, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security design issues that may affect other parts of the application.