CVE-2018-7434 in zzcms
Summary
by MITRE
zzcms 8.2 allows remote attackers to discover the full path via a direct request to 3/qq_connect2.0/API/class/ErrorCase.class.php or 3/ucenter_api/code/friend.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7434 affects zzcms version 8.2 and represents a path disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system information to remote attackers. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure, which can provide adversaries with critical system details that may facilitate subsequent attacks. The specific paths exposed through this vulnerability include 3/qq_connect2.0/API/class/ErrorCase.class.php and 3/ucenter_api/code/friend.php, both of which are part of the application's directory structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper error handling within the zzcms application. When attackers make direct requests to the specified PHP files, the application fails to properly sanitize or restrict access to these endpoints, resulting in the exposure of the complete server path. This occurs because the application does not implement adequate input validation or access controls to prevent unauthorized access to internal system files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it reveals the absolute path of the web application on the server, which can include sensitive information about the server environment, directory structures, and potentially even file permissions.
From an operational perspective, this path disclosure vulnerability significantly impacts the security posture of affected systems. The exposed paths can be leveraged by attackers to gain intelligence about the target environment, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as local file inclusion vulnerabilities or directory traversal exploits. According to the CWE database, this vulnerability maps to CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The information disclosed through this vulnerability can be used by threat actors to plan targeted attacks against the system, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is relatively narrow but impactful, as it requires attackers to know specific file paths within the application structure. However, the exposure of the complete path structure provides attackers with a roadmap for further exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of system information through path enumeration and file system access. The lack of proper access controls and error handling in the application's API endpoints creates a window of opportunity for attackers to gather reconnaissance data that would otherwise be protected through proper security configurations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and access controls within the application. Developers should ensure that all API endpoints and internal files are properly protected against direct access attempts, with appropriate authentication and authorization checks in place. The recommended approach includes implementing proper error handling mechanisms that do not expose system paths to end users, as well as restricting access to sensitive files through proper file permissions and web server configurations. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar path disclosure vulnerabilities that may exist within the application's architecture. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability.