CVE-2023-46240 in CodeIgniter4
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2023
CodeIgniter is a PHP full-stack web framework. Prior to CodeIgniter4 version 4.4.3, if an error or exception occurs, a detailed error report is displayed even if in the production environment. As a result, confidential information may be leaked. Version 4.4.3 contains a patch. As a workaround, replace `ini_set('display_errors', '0')` with `ini_set('display_errors', 'Off')` in `app/Config/Boot/production.php`.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2023
CodeIgniter is a widely-used PHP web framework that provides developers with a robust set of tools for building web applications. The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-46240 represents a critical security flaw in versions prior to 4.4.3 where the framework fails to properly sanitize error reporting in production environments. This issue stems from the framework's default configuration that allows detailed error messages to be displayed even when applications are deployed in production settings, creating a significant information disclosure risk.
The technical flaw manifests when the framework encounters errors or exceptions during execution. In production environments, the system should suppress detailed error information to prevent attackers from gaining insights into the application's internal structure, file paths, database configurations, or other sensitive system details. However, prior to version 4.4.3, CodeIgniter's error handling mechanism did not adequately enforce this security measure, leading to the exposure of sensitive data through error pages that contain stack traces, variable values, and system configuration details.
This vulnerability directly impacts operational security by creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors who can exploit the leaked information to craft more sophisticated attacks. The disclosed information may include database connection strings, file system paths, internal function names, and other technical details that could be leveraged for privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the application. The exposure of such information aligns with CWE-209, which addresses "Information Exposure Through an Error Message," and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in security design.
The patch implemented in CodeIgniter 4.4.3 addresses this issue through proper environment-specific error handling configuration. The recommended workaround of modifying `app/Config/Boot/production.php` to use `ini_set('display_errors', 'Off')` instead of `ini_set('display_errors', '0')` provides a temporary solution while awaiting the official patch. This mitigation aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1566, which covers credential access through information discovery, as attackers can use the leaked information to identify potential access points and vulnerabilities within the system. Organizations should immediately implement the patch or workaround to prevent unauthorized information disclosure and maintain the security posture of their web applications.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper configuration management in web frameworks, particularly regarding error handling in production environments. Security-conscious development practices require that error reporting be disabled or heavily sanitized in production deployments to prevent information leakage while maintaining adequate logging for debugging purposes in development environments. This issue serves as a reminder of the necessity for comprehensive security testing and configuration reviews before deploying applications to production environments.