Composer Config Exposure Scanner

Composer is widely used by developers to manage dependencies in PHP projects. It enables easy management of libraries and components through a single configuration file. Primarily utilized by individuals and teams working on PHP applications, it simplifies the installation, updating, and removal of libraries necessary for their applications. Composer automates the process of checking for dependencies, ensuring that the correct library versions are installed. It is an essential tool for maintaining compatibility and functionality in PHP projects. Often employed in diverse environments, from small personal projects to large enterprise systems, it is integral to PHP project development.

Config Exposure is a vulnerability where configuration files become accessible to unauthorized users. Such files, when exposed, can contain sensitive configuration details such as paths, package information, and environment settings. In the context of Composer, this entails exposure of the `composer.json` and `composer.lock` files. These files can reveal critical project details, aiding malicious individuals in targeting specific areas of the application. Determining the presence of such files via HTTP requests can indicate potential misconfigurations. Simple access to these could lead to broader security implications for a project.

Vulnerable endpoints typically include direct paths to `composer.json` and `composer.lock`. Unrestricted access to these endpoints exemplifies the vulnerability, often revealing valuable data in JSON format. Accessing these files without authentication indicates a misconfigured server environment. Attackers often search for `application/json` headers in HTTP responses to verify exposure. The common parameter checked is the content type and HTTP status code, with a 200 indicating successful access. Presence of specific JSON keys such as 'require' further confirms the exposure.

When exploited, this vulnerability can lead to information leakage, assisting attackers in crafting more sophisticated attacks. Exposed configuration files may provide insights on software versions and libraries in use, highlighting potential avenues for exploitation. Attackers can deduce environment details, setting the stage for other attacks like dependency confusion. Additionally, exposed data might reveal insights regarding the setup of the web application, weakening its security posture. Without mitigating Config Exposure, systems become susceptible to targeted attacks informed by the leaked information.

REFERENCES

• https://getcomposer.org/