Source: cve@mitre.org
Unspecified vulnerability in siteman.php3 in AnyPortal(php) before 22 APR 00 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unknown attack vectors, which reveal the absolute path. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained from third party information.
A critical vulnerability in AnyPortal(php) versions prior to April 22, 2000, allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information, specifically the absolute path of the web server. This information leakage can be leveraged to facilitate further attacks, including remote code execution and system compromise. The vulnerability's age and the lack of specific details make it challenging to assess the full scope of impact, but the potential for exploitation is significant.
Step 1: Reconnaissance: The attacker identifies a vulnerable AnyPortal(php) installation by scanning for the presence of the siteman.php3 file or by using web application scanners to identify the AnyPortal(php) software.
Step 2: Crafting the Request: The attacker crafts a malicious HTTP request to siteman.php3. The exact nature of the request is unknown from the CVE description, but it likely involves sending a specially crafted parameter or request that triggers an error or informational output.
Step 3: Information Leakage: The server processes the malicious request and, due to the vulnerability, reveals the absolute path of the web server in an error message, debug output, or other response.
Step 4: Path Utilization: The attacker uses the leaked path information to craft further attacks, such as attempting to access sensitive files, directory traversal, or exploiting other vulnerabilities based on the revealed file structure.
The root cause of CVE-2000-1240 lies in the siteman.php3 script's failure to properly sanitize or validate user input or internal variables. The vulnerability allows for the disclosure of the absolute path of the web server. This information is often revealed through error messages, debugging output, or other informational leaks. The lack of input validation allows attackers to trigger the path disclosure by crafting specific requests to the vulnerable script. The exact mechanism is unspecified in the CVE description, but it likely involves a flaw in how the script handles file paths, configuration settings, or error reporting. The vulnerability's age suggests that the code may have been written without modern security practices, such as input validation and output encoding, making it susceptible to various information disclosure techniques.
Due to the age and nature of the vulnerability, it is unlikely to be directly associated with specific APT groups. However, any attacker with basic skills could exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability's age and the lack of specific details make it less likely to be targeted by sophisticated actors. Not listed on CISA KEV.
Monitor web server logs for suspicious requests to siteman.php3 or other AnyPortal(php) files.
Analyze web server error logs for the disclosure of absolute paths or other sensitive information.
Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) with signatures that detect known exploitation attempts against AnyPortal(php).
Employ file integrity monitoring (FIM) to detect unauthorized changes to AnyPortal(php) files.
Implement network traffic analysis to identify unusual patterns of communication with the web server.
Upgrade to the latest version of AnyPortal(php) or a version that is known to address the vulnerability. If upgrading is not possible, consider removing the vulnerable software.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent information leakage. Ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being used.
Disable or restrict access to siteman.php3 if it is not required for the website's functionality.
Configure the web server to prevent the disclosure of sensitive information, such as absolute paths, in error messages. Customize error pages to provide generic messages.
Implement a web application firewall (WAF) to filter malicious requests and protect against exploitation attempts.
Regularly scan the web server for vulnerabilities using vulnerability scanners.
Review and harden the web server's configuration, including disabling unnecessary services and features.