CVE-2019-12903 in Cells
Summary
by MITRE
Pydio Cells before 1.5.0, when supplied with a Name field in an unexpected Unicode format, fails to handle this and includes the database column/table name as pert of the error message, exposing sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12903 affects Pydio Cells versions prior to 1.5.0 and represents a sensitive data exposure issue stemming from improper error handling mechanisms. This flaw manifests when the application receives a Name field containing unexpected Unicode formatting, which causes the system to generate error messages that inadvertently disclose database schema information including column and table names. The vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure through error messages, a common weakness that can provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data about the underlying database structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and error handling within the application's data processing pipeline. When Pydio Cells encounters malformed Unicode data in the Name field, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before incorporating it into error messages. This results in the direct inclusion of database metadata within the error output, creating a situation where attackers can extract structural information about the database schema. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because database schema information provides attackers with critical insights into the application's data architecture, including table relationships, column names, and potential data access patterns.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations deploying Pydio Cells as their file sharing and collaboration platform. The exposure of database schema information can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including SQL injection attempts, privilege escalation, and targeted exploitation of database-specific vulnerabilities. Security analysts should note that this issue aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure Through an Error Message," and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege in error handling. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers without requiring elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous for systems with sensitive data repositories.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked database schema information can be leveraged to craft more effective attacks against the system. According to ATT&CK framework category T1212, "Exploitation for Credential Access," this vulnerability can serve as a precursor to credential theft or privilege escalation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive input sanitization measures and ensure that error messages are properly filtered to prevent the inclusion of any database-related information. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Pydio Cells version 1.5.0 or later, where proper input validation and error handling mechanisms have been implemented to prevent such information exposure. Additionally, organizations should review their logging and monitoring configurations to ensure that sensitive information is not inadvertently exposed through error reporting mechanisms, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper error message handling in maintaining system security posture.